Avery, Eric, Sara, and Eric Jr. are dear friends of Devona’s family, and this fundraiser is being created to help them through a heartbreaking crisis. Devona’s daughter, Melody, became friends with Avery back in second grade at Colonel Wright Elementary in The Dalles, Oregon, and over the past three years their families have grown close. After the loss of Avery’s grandmother and her home, the family left Oregon in June and moved to North Carolina to help a family friend with a farm. They gave up their home, much of their stability, and the support of their community because they believed they were doing the right thing. Sadly, that situation became unstable, emotionally difficult, and ultimately unsafe, and now they are facing the possibility of homelessness far from the people who know and love them.

This fundraiser will help Avery’s family make the long trip back to The Dalles and begin rebuilding a sense of safety and stability. Donations will go toward travel essentials like gas, food, hotels, and emergency vehicle repairs along the way. Support will also help keep their cell phones on so they can reach out for help if needed during the trip, and help with basic needs like school supplies and new outfits for the kids as they return and prepare to start school. Eric has secured his job back in The Dalles, which is a huge step toward getting the family back on their feet, and they have friends offering them a place to land when they arrive. Donations will also help them work toward securing permanent rental housing so Eric can resume work and the family can rebuild safely.

In Sara’s own words: “We never imagined we would have to ask for help like this. But right now, our family truly needs it. I’ve always believed that when you can help someone, you should. Life, however, has a way of putting things in front of us that we could never prepare for. After losing my mother and her home, we packed up our lives in Oregon in June and made the move to North Carolina to help a family friend with his farm. We gave up our home, our stability, many of our belongings, and our community because we genuinely believed we were doing the right thing. Over the past several weeks, the situation became increasingly unstable and emotionally difficult, making it unsafe for our family to remain. We were told we need to be out, facing the possibility of homelessness in a state where we only recently arrived. Asking for help is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but right now, I have to put my pride aside and do what I need to do for my family. We aren’t asking anyone to fix our lives or carry us forever. We are simply asking for a little help getting through a crisis we never expected to face.” If you are able to give, even $5 or $10 can make a difference.

Thank you so much for your generosity, prayers, and kindness for Avery, Eric, Sara, and Eric Jr. during this difficult time.