Lana is a 58-year-old single woman living in Crystal Lake, IL, who has always faced life’s challenges with strength and resilience. Over the past year, however, she has encountered hardships that no one should have to endure alone. Lana suffers from severe arthritis and is now on disability, making it difficult to manage both her health and the upkeep of her home. In October 2024, her furnace broke down due to a dangerous hole in the heat exchange. For safety reasons, it was tagged out and she has been unable to use it ever since. This means Lana has spent more than a year without a working furnace, relying on electric heaters to get through the freezing Illinois winters. During the coldest days, when temperatures dropped to dangerous lows, she struggled to keep her home warm with the heaters running constantly. The cost of this temporary solution has been overwhelming, with electric bills rising far beyond what she can afford.

As if that weren’t enough, Lana also went without running water from December until September of this year. She managed to resolve the plumbing issues after a significant personal expense, finally restoring safe water to her home. Despite her determination and resourcefulness, Lana has been unable to get assistance from programs like LIHEAP because her house is still in her late parent’s name, and her siblings have not allowed her to transfer ownership.

I am reaching out on Lana’s behalf because I have seen firsthand how much she gives to others, even when she has so little herself. Now, she needs our help. Funds raised will go directly toward replacing her furnace, protecting her newly repaired plumbing, and easing the burden of her high electric bills. Every donation, no matter the size, will help Lana regain warmth, safety, and peace of mind in her home. Thank you for supporting her during this difficult time.