Dear friends, family, and compassionate strangers,

I am reaching out to you today on behalf of my dear friend and colleague, Elizabeth, and her household (husband Eryn, sons Jude and Ezra, housemate Masha), as they face an unexpected and devastating crisis.

Their basement recently suffered a flood, causing significant damage to their home and personal belongings. As we all know, life can be unpredictable, and it's in times like these that we can come together to provide much-needed support.

(Pictured: (1) Pooling of water in a utility room that shares a wall with the apartment. Water was leaking in through walls and doorways for hours during the Sept 29 flooding. (2) Flooding indoors. Wood doors won't close due to swelling, unsanitary water has soaked into rugs, flooring, and inside walls, and black mold is beginning to grow. (3) Water damage warped furniture, weakening or breaking cabinets and shelves. (4) Water depth completely submersing flooring.)

The Flood's Impact:

Even if you don't live in NYC, you may have seen photos and videos of the flood that happened here on September 29. This sudden and severe storm caused my friends' basement to flood, leading to extensive damage to their property, including structural issues, ruined furniture, black mold growth, and cherished personal items. This crisis has left them feeling overwhelmed, both emotionally and financially.

Why We Need Your Help:

Why not cover this expense through insurance? Great question. Elizabeth and her family DO have renter's insurance. But since flooding happens so often in NYC, no affordable renter's insurance companies cover flood damage! On top of that, their landlord has no vested interest in remediating the damage. This is the 4th time their basement has flooded in three years and the landlord has done nothing to address mold and water damage. This week, he sent someone to paint over the mold, which will not make the space safer, but only after Elizabeth reported him to the New York City Housing Authority.

Why not fight back, move, or something else? This family has no financial or legal power to fight for safety and security from flood damage. They have also been priced out of moving to a similar or new location in Manhattan with the size of their household. This family has been in Manhattan for over ten years (and Masha grew up in NYC). This is their home, and they're all doing really meaningful work here that serves their neighbors.

This is not the first time this home has flooded. In the past, they have done their best to eat the cost of cleaning and replacing damaged furniture, but this time the cost of repairing the damage and replacing their possessions is substantial. The financial burden of this unexpected disaster is taking a toll on their family, and they need our support to get back on their feet.

Why this amount? While we're still seeking to get the most accurate count of expenses, the total you see is based on the average cost of Class 3 flood remediation for a residential property in NYC, plus an estimate of GoFundMe fees (2.9% +$0.30 per donation).

Who is running this fundraiser? How will the money be used?

My name is Meg Baatz. I'm a friend of Elizabeth and Eryn's family, and I moved from Denver to New York last year to start a nonprofit organization with Elizabeth. I live on a hill across town and was not affected by the flooding, and I've seen how the flooding has affected Elizabeth and her family and wanted to help. 100% of money raised after GoFundMe fees will go directly to the Black-Klimenko household to cover damages related to the flood as the family determines to use it.

How Your Donation Will Make a Difference:

Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant impact in helping the Klimenko-Black household recover and rebuild their life. Every dollar raised will go toward:

How You Can Help:

Donate: Your financial contribution, whether big or small, will help this dear family get back on their feet.

Share: Spread the word about this campaign through social media, email, or word of mouth.

Offer Assistance: If you can provide any practical help or expertise in home repairs, please get in touch.

Eryn, Masha, and Elizabeth have always been there for others in their time of need, and now it's our chance to reciprocate. Your generosity will provide comfort, relief, and hope to them during this challenging period.

Thank you for your support, compassion, and kindness. Together, we can help this family overcome this adversity and restore their sense of security and peace.

With gratitude,

Meg Baatz