Help Mariah and Austin's Family

Hi, I'm Ashley (friend of Mariah and Austin's). Mariah, Austin, their three children, and puppy lost their home last night in the Colorado fires. In this clip , the street the man references is the street their house was on.

 

Mariah, Austin, and their three children were away for a few nights nearby, so while they are safe, all of their belongings, including Christmas presents, clothing, travel equipment, and household items were lost in the fire. Family has driven by their house and it is a total loss.

 

If you know Mariah and Austin, or have interacted with their children, you know that they are joyful, loving, hilarious, kind, and giving people. They held their wedding on a family farm under gorgeous trees before stuffing their friends and family with barbecue, good company, and infinite laughs. They have traveled the country, showing their kids state and national parks along the way. They are champions for the environment, incredible parents to their children, and just really good people, which you know, because you are here reading this because you wanted to help.

From dating long-distance for so many years to navigating chronic illness to parenting 3 children during a pandemic, Mariah and Austin have faced a tremendous number of challenges independently with grace, humor, and strength. But having asked for so little of their community for so long, they need us now.

While they embark on the task of navigating insurance, temporary relocation, and rebuilding, they will encounter immediate expenses that many have asked to help with.

 

If you would like to help, please consider the following ways:

 

1) Sending positive thoughts their way

2) Helping re-purchase the children's Christmas items from this Wish List (items will ship directly to their temporary location; they will continue to update this list as they can)

3) Contributing directly to them via Venmo (no fees): @bighungry

3) Contributing to this GoFundMe account

 

All funds will be used to cover immediate personal needs including housing, clothing, shoes, art supplies, kitchen items, remote learning items, dog food, and to make the temporary place they are in feel like a home while they rebuild the house that holds their people.

 

The night their house burned, Mariah wrote the following words as they watched the news, at that time unsure if their house would survive:

"So we took these photos to remind ourselves that absolutely EVERYTHING that makes our house a home is right here with us, safe."

 

Please help us rebuild their home.

Information added as requested by GFM:
Who I am: Ashley Kappel, friend of Mariah and Austin
Where I'm from: Alabama
Relationship to parties: Friends from college/life
How will funds be used: For basic necessities following losing their home in Colorado fires on 12/31/2021 including but not limited to replacing clothing, personal items, children's toys, furniture, cleaning supplies, and providing meals, temporary housing, as well as unexpected expenses that arise.
These funds will be given directly to Mariah and Austin in their bank accounts; the funds will not go into my personal bank account.