Help Kirt & Maxine recover from a house fire.

Since 2001, when they opened up a comfy and cozy juke joint called Maxine’s on Shine, Kirt and Maxine Earhart have been serving up much more than a delicious helping of food and exotic drinks.

They’ve been part of the fabric of this community. If there is a cause worth supporting, they’ve stepped up in many ways. They’ve donated their time, money, food and energy to Central Florida. Their kindness and generosity have been boundless.

Now it’s time for Central Florida to step up and support Kirt and Maxine.

Their home caught on fire Sunday afternoon. Fortunately, Kirt, Maxine and their beloved dog Lucinda were spared, but their home and an adjacent shed were gutted. Repairs are expected to last at least a month, and even though they’ve managed to find temporary housing, they face an uphill battle dealing with the ramifications of this tragedy.

It’s a lot to deal with, emotionally and physically. State Farm recently sold their homeowners policy to another company, and they are still in the beginning stages of sorting out the details of coverage they may or may not have.

But even if the insurance company steps up, that doesn’t mean a blank check awaits nor does it help with their day-to-day expenses and the likelihood of being displaced from their home for months.

This is where we step in Central Florida and do right by them. Please donate as generously as you can to help them rebuild their house and replace belongings damaged in the fire. Many items, including clothing, have been deemed unusable by the fire department because of the carcinogenic nature of the black smoke.

Besides this fundraiser, you can help in other ways by making a reservation for breakfast, lunch or dinner at Maxine's On Shine. You can also purchase a gift certificate for future use.

They were already dealing with the struggles of keeping their place open for business because of unexpected costs in a recent outdoor rebuild. And now this.

There’s a lot on their plate. Let’s help them take the load off, and pay in forward.