Restoring Hope: Help Liberty and Dylan Rebuild After RV Fire

Hello Friend,

My name is Liberty. May I share a part of my story with you? Thank you for allowing me that.

The past year had been incredibly challenging for us. We faced major life changes, including significant moves, and I lost a job I had devoted myself to for six years. In the midst of this upheaval, I made the decision to return to college after a 30-year hiatus. Despite the hardships, we felt we were finally heading in the right direction.

After months of saving and uncertainty, we decided to take a leap of faith and buy an RV. We thought we had found the perfect starter home - a fixer-upper that would be our gateway to a new life of freedom and adventure. On a whim, we drove hours to see it, and instantly fell in love. We named her Hazelnut, or Hazel for short.

We began the bittersweet process of sorting through our storage unit, rediscovering items long hidden away. We made tough decisions about what to keep and what to let go, parting with possessions that had been with us for a lifetime in exchange for the promise of new experiences. Blood, sweat, and tears went into preparing for this next chapter of our lives.

Imagine the pure excitement – the keys in hand, our fresh start on the horizon. Finally, our better future. We, a single mom, full-time college student, and my amazing 13-year-old son Dylan, had just bought our starter RV. Hazel for short (lovingly named by Dylan), was to be our safe haven. But our dreams turned to ashes five miles into the hundred plus mile journey back home.

The seller was home with his toddler when we arrived to pick up Hazel. Living down a narrow, winding dirt road, that was in places soft with sugar sand, he offered to move her to the road for us. His wife had gone to run errands, so he told his little one to grab his bike, while he grabbed his own. I watched gratefully as he loaded up the bikes and his miniature version of himself, climbed in and started up the RV, heading out to the main road. He smiled as he stepped out of the RV and handed me the keys, wishing me a safe journey. On their bikes the duo disappeared back down the dirt road.

Unfamiliar with how to handle such a large vehicle yet myself, my friend, Guy, made the trip with us to drive Hazel back home, while Dylan and I followed behind in the car. It did not take long, and the RV proved to be resistant to the trip. Guy was struggling to get it up to speed, managing 35mph at best. With the gas gauge reading empty and hoping fuel would improve the RV’s behavior, we tried to make it to the next gas station. In the car behind Guy, I followed patiently and prayerfully, hazards on. We clung to the shoulder as much as was possible, limping toward the gas station. We agreed that once we were gassed up, we would then have time to reevaluate.

Feeling cautiously optimistic, we continued along the rural county road. While I was trying to remain positive, Hazel had other plans. She backfired, made a startling explosive pop and died in the middle of the road. Deep disappointment filled my heart as smoke began to billow out of the engine. From the car, I yelled for Guy to get out of the RV (as though he could hear me). I sighed gratefully when I saw him exit the chaos in front of me.

Trying to process what was happening, we knew the radiator was shot, as there was a puddle of water underneath it. In the reflection of the water on the road, I saw flames flickering from above. A passerby slowed to tell us that indeed, the front of the RV was engulfed in flames. I sat, helpless, as I watched every carefully planned penny we had, our chance to get back on our feet, burn with the RV. Every. Carefully. Planned. Penny. Gone. I fought back tears while I explained to Dylan what was happening and what that meant. No more RV life. Not right now. What I did not say in that moment was we would not have a home, either.

While we were hopeful this RV would provide us a stable place to call home, and offer a sense of freedom while I continue my education, this heartbreaking twist of fate, has once again left us with an uncertain future. Now, juggling college, homeschooling Dylan, and the overwhelming fear of homelessness feels impossible. While we are immensely grateful that no one was hurt, we now find ourselves at a crossroads, facing an uncertain future without a roof over our heads. Your generous support will help pave the way to a fresh start by providing the means to secure stable, safe housing. With your kindness, we can rebuild, finding an affordable place to call home once again. Your donations will not only put a roof over our heads but will also offer the priceless gift of security and peace of mind during this trying time. This fire may have taken our home, but it cannot extinguish our hope. We humbly thank you for your compassion and aid in our journey towards restoring a sense of normalcy.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Liberty and Dylan

This is how we plan to use these contributions:

Housing Costs (3 months): $4,500

Storage Costs: $900

RV-Related Expenses: $1,500

School Supplies and Technology: $1,000

Transportation Costs: $1,000

Emergency Fund: $1,500

Utility Set-up and Deposits: $500

Total Goal: $10,900