On November 8th, 2025, four years after my mother’s passing, I was cleaning and decluttering our home, sorting through memories and belongings. While unpacking a steamer trunk, I discovered an old glass vial containing mercury. Hoping to donate it to a local high school, I set it aside, but less than an hour later, the vial shattered on the basement floor. The resulting mercury exposure led the EPA to evacuate my family and our pet dogs. We weren’t homeless, but we spent days sifting through disposal bags, trying to salvage what we could. Everything went through decontamination, but much was lost. Carpets, beds, clothing, and cherished items like yearbooks were taken away to be incinerated or sent to a special landfill. My daughter, who is a nurse, nearly lost her entire room, including her uniforms for work. Her bedroom, the living room, and main hallway were stripped bare. Even our Christmas decorations and essentials were thrown away. After 17 days, we’re finally able to return home, but the basement is empty and about 80-85% of everything in the basement is gone.

As if this wasn’t enough, Lorrie is also facing medical challenges that have added to the stress and complexity of our situation. Managing her health needs while trying to rebuild our home has made this time even more overwhelming for our family.

The mission of decluttering was accomplished in a way we never wanted, and now we face the challenge of rebuilding. We need help replacing clothing, beds, and sheets, and funds will also help us restore our home, including rebuilding stripped walls and missing tiles. With Christmas approaching, your support will help us bring comfort and hope back to our family during this difficult time. Any support is deeply appreciated as we work to rebuild our home and restore comfort for our family.