Early this morning, my immediate family’s life changed in an instant when a fire broke out next door in Emmaus, PA. The flames quickly spread, leaving my great aunt, who is 73 and has bone cancer, my cousin who is 40, my three younger cousins (ages 19, 18, and 5yr old autistic child), and their small dog without a home. The house is now uninhabitable, and they lost everything in the fire.

Right now, my family is facing the overwhelming challenge of finding a safe place to stay and replacing the essentials—clothes, shoes, and food. They escaped with only the clothes on their backs, and every bit of support will help them begin to rebuild. The loss has been especially hard on my great aunt and the youngest cousin, who is just five years old. Their dog is also in need of care and comfort after this traumatic event.

We’re asking for help from our community and anyone who feels moved by their story. Every donation will go directly toward securing temporary housing and providing the basic necessities my family needs to get through the coming days. Your support will make a real difference as they start to recover and rebuild their lives after this devastating fire.