On January 31, 2026, my dear friend Dusti lost her home in a devastating fire. This was the house where she rebuilt her life from the ground up. It was a place of hard-won stability and safety for her and her sons. Now it is gone, along with everything inside it, including the belongings her sons kept in their bedrooms and throughout the home.

While we are deeply grateful that everyone is safe, Dusti is now facing the overwhelming reality of starting over from nothing for herself and her children — again.

Dusti is one of the most resilient people I know, but resilience doesn’t make this any less exhausting. She is a single mother with a limited income, and this fire didn’t just take her home — it also destroyed her only vehicle.

To make this even more difficult, Dusti did not have renters insurance, leaving her without a financial safety net as she begins the long process of rebuilding. Even now, Dusti is focused on creating stability for herself and her sons as she navigates the long work of rebuilding.

Funds raised will go toward immediate necessities for Dusti and her sons (clothing, shoes, toiletries), replacing basic household items, transportation needs following the loss of her vehicle, temporary living needs, and work-related essentials as she gets back on her feet.

She has had to rebuild her life from the ground up more than once, so this truly couldn’t have happened to a stronger or more resilient person. Still, it is incredibly difficult to watch someone who has already worked so hard be forced to start over yet again.

I know so many of us are in need right now, but any amount — no matter how small — will help. Sharing this fundraiser is just as meaningful. Thank you for supporting Dusti and her family during an unimaginably difficult time.