<div>Yesterday morning (July 30), our family's life changed in a matter of minutes.
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<div>A lightning strike during a severe storm hit the attic of my parents' home, sparking a fire that quickly spread throughout the upstairs. My mom, Gail, and my younger brother, Holden, were asleep inside when it started, while my dad, Andy, was working an overnight shift in Tampa. They escaped with only the clothes they were sleeping in and their phones.
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<div>Thankfully, everyone made it out safely, including our two dogs, Dobby and Leia. Holden even went back inside to rescue Dobby. We are incredibly grateful that no one was physically injured, but the emotional and financial impact has been overwhelming. I'm the oldest daughter writing this on behalf of my parents while they focus on finding housing and working with insurance.
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<div>The upstairs of the home was destroyed, with much of the roof and ceilings gone. The downstairs suffered extensive smoke and water damage, leaving the house unlivable. In a single morning, my family lost nearly everything: clothes, medications, electronics, wallets, furniture, food, and irreplaceable family photos and keepsakes collected over decades.
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<div>My mom, Gail, has been a teacher in Sarasota for more than 20 years. If you've ever met a kindergarten teacher, you know how much love, creativity, and preparation goes into welcoming a new class. She had been counting down the days until the school year began, excited to meet her students and even looking forward to wearing her special first-day-of-school teacher pants. Those, along with the classroom supplies she had been preparing, were lost in the fire. Even now, she's already thinking about how she'll show up for her students in just a few weeks.
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<div>My parents, Gail and Andy, have spent the last 19 years raising our family. Right now, they're facing the enormous task of finding temporary housing, replacing everyday necessities, caring for our dogs, and navigating the long insurance and rebuilding process.
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<div>While insurance will help with some of the recovery, it won't cover everything, and many expenses come immediately. Donations will help provide essentials like clothing, shoes, toiletries, medications, pet supplies, temporary living expenses, and other immediate needs as they begin rebuilding their lives.
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<div>If you're able to give, no matter the amount, our family is deeply grateful. If you aren't in a position to donate, sharing this fundraiser with others would mean just as much. Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and for helping my family through the most difficult chapter we've ever faced.
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Isaac Smude

Johan Rodriguez

AJ Parra

Orlando Balderas

Anonymous

Noe Jerez

Karla Garcia

TONY BARRERA LOPEZ

Michele Walter

Sheri Cox

Paul Schmandt

Tahmid Hossain

Ariana Wilson

Chrissy C

Ediel Lima cruz

Heather Ferrigno

Thomas Flamminio

Lightning Struck Our Family Home: Help Us Recover

Lightning Struck Our Family Home: Help Us Recover

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