Help Lane & Ryan Rebuild!

Holland Michael is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Ryan and Lane.

Donation protected

For those of you that haven't heard Ryan and Lane had their house in Big Pine Key destroyed by hurricane Irma. The Hammock House (as it was lovingly known since it sits on Hammock Drive) was the first home they purchased. They have lived in it off and on over the last 6 years and it has served as their main source of income as a vacation rental when they are not there. It was also their life savings, retirement plan, and housed all their material possessions.

Then on September 9th the EYE of category 5 Irma passed over their little island of Big Pine Key, destroying everything in it's path. A tree smashed through the roof causing severe structural damage all the way down to the foundation. The storm surge filled their house with three feet of water, which has since subsided but left an over all covering of mold in its place. All furnishings and possessions will have to be thrown out and the entire house gutted. Outside every single large tree on the property has been blown down along with all fences, walkways, porches and parts of the roof.

While most would probably call the house a complete loss, there is a special love for this home that is driving them to rebuild.

Unfortunately, they have ZERO insurance because the house was a single family that was zoned in an area for a trailer and no company would insure them. They also haven't seen a penny from FEMA or Red Cross.

They plan to take a leave from their jobs to do all the work themselves as it's the only way they can afford the rebuild, but even though labor costs are free, they could use some help purchasing construction materials, chainsaws, wood, new drywall, flooring, etc. since the costs paired with not working during the rebuild are more than they can financially bear. That's where you, their family and friends, come in...

We are hoping to show them they are loved and supported. You can do that in a couple of ways...

1. If you are in the keys offer to go over and help out...no skilled labor required...if you can lift a tree branch you can help lift some of the burden off of them.

2. Donate here to help ease the financial burden they will be facing over the next months as they begin to rebuild.

3. Share their story on your FB page in case one of your friends wants to help out victims of Irma and would prefer to know where their money is going to instead of some arbitrary charity.

They are facing a daunting amount of work. Lane has expressed to me the scope of the damage is almost unbearable at times, but they have come to adapt the old adage..."it's like trying to eat an elephant..." and their daily affirmation to each-other has been "one bite at a time." Let's help make this tragedy a little easier to swallow.