Help LaMontay and LaVon rebuild their home

Hi, my name is Tonya Barnes, and I’m fundraising for my family. On Thursday, October 7th, grizzly thunderstorms with accumulated high winds and flash flood warnings quickly brought devastation to the greater Birmingham area ravaging nearby communities, leaving many homeowners displaced. Such is the story of my sister, LaVon Carter and her family. Concerned about the developing weather, I called my sister Wednesday, October 6th around 8:58pm. It was our nightly routine to check in with one another and my scheduled reading time with my niece, Shelby. My sister and I are very close, but we live a state apart. Daily phone calls and FaceTime are how we keep in touch. But this night was different. I couldn‘t reach LaVon which left me a little worried. So, I called my mother to see if she had spoken with her. Mom said she would call her. I proceeded with my nightly routine, assisting my autistic son with his shower. A short time later, my husband rushed in the bathroom with the phone saying I needed to talk to my sister. I hurriedly grabbed the phone sensing something was wrong. My sister was sobbing and screaming; I could barely make sense of what she was saying. Rushing waters had breeched their home, flowing past their doors and through the walls, filling every room of their home on the bottom and mid-level of their condominium. Their furniture was afloat. The baby’s toys were displaced. Appliances ruined. Mostly everything had been destroyed. To help my sister and niece escape the rising water, her partner had to knock out the bedroom wall adjacent to the garage. The fire department was called. The police were notified. My sister and niece were safe. But, their home lay in ruin. Adding insult to injury, the days to come would bring about more unwelcomed news. The insurance company said they would not pay for damages associated with the storm and flooding; and their HOA had no recourse for its residents. If LaMontay and LaVon were to make the obviously needed repairs, they would have to do so on their own. But, how and with what? Years of paying fees and premiums had amounted to nothing. The safeguards they thought they had in place to help in the event of a disaster, ended up only guarding the interests of their providers! My sister and her partner are hard workers, responsible citizens, and excellent parents. But, this time following the rules and doing what’s right has worked against them. If they are to move forward, they need help. This is where you can help. Consider giving a small donation to this cause. Every dollar you give will be used to repair and restore their structural loss and to provide assistance towards their temporary living arrangements. Thanking you in advance for your generosity.