Help Jr Rebuild After Devastating Fire; an Army Veteran

On the afternoon of October 31, 2024, my good friend and US Army veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, Holden Hammond, who we all know as Jr, lost his lifelong home to a devastating house fire. He had no time to grab essential legal documents, lifelong belongings, or memories. Luckily, the family was all safe, but they are now tasked with having to completely start over with absolutely nothing but the clothes that were on his back that day.

Junior is a veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both he and his brother have taken honor and pride in dedicating much of their lives to serving others. Now, they find themselves in such a vulnerable and dependent state. This situation is not just a heavy financial burden but an equally emotional one as well. His childhood home catching fire didn’t just take his physical home, lifelong belongings, and memories; it also took his sense of security, stability, pride, and self-esteem. Junior has a hard time accepting help from others and has been embarrassed to tell people that this even happened and that he is struggling.

He is a disabled veteran (service-connected). It is with both a heavy heart and a hopeful spirit that I’m humbly reaching out to you after this traumatic life-changing event to help someone who has put helping and fighting for everyone else in front of his own life. I ask that we return the favor and show support and help him in rebuilding his home and starting new memories.

Unfortunately, he only had “Lender-Placed Insurance,” which only covered structural damage and did not cover personal belongings or living expenses. Furthermore, the “Lender-Placed Insurance” did not cover his loan. So despite the house being condemned by the Fire Marshall, it’s still “business as usual.” He must continue to pay his mortgage. This leaves Junior in a difficult position of having to rebuild his whole life at the same time as he has to continue to pay the mortgage, work, and isn’t getting much help from the insurance company.

As a veteran, he is determined and willing to face and embrace the overwhelming hardships and struggles that are expected on this journey to rebuilding his life. Through your generous support, whether through donations, sharing this page, or keeping Junior and his family in your thoughts and prayers, you have the power to help make their hope to someday “rise from the ashes” a reality and give them a second chance to not lose all he has worked for his whole life.

Unfortunately, he is not able to afford a temporary place to live and pay the mortgage at the same time. Your generous support will help secure him a temporary place and cover essential needs while he awaits the rebuilding of his condemned home.

Thank you for taking the time to read this story and thank you for your kind consideration to support him in this dire time of need. Your compassion during this unimaginable time is most greatly appreciated and humbly received.