On December 17, 2025, me and my family lost it all… 12 of us were affected by a devastating house fire. We lost everything but the clothes we walked out with. I lost my car along with my six pet snakes, but also everything I’ve started collecting for my baby (I’m 26 weeks pregnant with a little boy). My sister and cousin lost all the sentimental items that come with becoming a mother. My mother lost what was her grandmother’s house, which absolutely meant the world to her. My stepdad lost his pet dog along with his kitten. My uncle lost his house he recently just redid and worked so hard on, along with all that his 4 children lost everything they’ve ever known.

Most devastating, Christmas was a week away, knocking on the door. Worse than that, everything was prepared and wrapped under our tree, where the ornaments from the last 6 years of our life hung. All the memories, everything gone in a matter of minutes. I’ll never forget arriving at the scene and seeing my whole life, everything I’ve worked for, gone. My little sister, shoeless (from running out with my 3-month-old nephew), running at me screaming, “It’s gone, everything’s gone, all of Kash’s stuff is gone.” Going up to my mom, her saying, “My grandma’s house,” and a woman I’ve never known to cry (my cousin Brittany) absolutely in tears.

I wasn’t there when it started, but hearing the story from my family and watching it burn to the ground was absolutely devastating. I learned me and my sister’s best friend Jayson got all three of me and my sister’s dogs out, along with running back inside trying to wet down the Christmas tree in hopes of saving just anything. Sadly, nothing helped. With the wind and the propane tanks for the furnace just being filled, it was gone within minutes.

Now, two days later, through the tears, we’re trying to plan to rebuild, but we need help. What we have will not cover the cost of everything we need. We’ve received massive support from our friends, family, and community, more than we could imagine, so please, anything is appreciated to help in this process. Thank you, the Brownell VanValkenburgh Lanfair family ❤️