On June 17th, my mother Donna Anastasio and her roommate faced the unimaginable. Just after noon, the small cottage she called home in West Ocean City went up in flames. In a matter of moments, everything she owned—every keepsake, every piece of her quiet life—was gone. The fire is believed to have started in her bedroom, possibly due to an electrical fault. By the time they escaped, they had nothing but the clothes on their backs.

My mom has lived in that cottage since 2017, after leaving behind the busy streets of Baltimore for a simpler, more peaceful life. She didn’t have much, but what she did have held deep meaning—photos, collectables, things passed down or gathered through life’s small joys. She tried to save something, anything, but the smoke and heat were overwhelming. We’re thankful the fire didn’t start in the middle of the night. Had it, we might not still have her. And that’s a gratitude I can’t put into words.

She’s retired and on a fixed income. A few years ago, she nearly lost her life in that same cottage. While reaching for Christmas decorations in the loft, she fell, suffering a devastating spinal injury. She managed to drag herself to the door, and—by what I can only call a miracle—a UPS driver heard her cries. She was airlifted to shock trauma, spent days on a ventilator, and against all odds, she survived. Her recovery has been slow and difficult, leaving her with limited mobility and little ability to support herself.

Now, she’s facing yet another mountain to climb—this time with nothing left. No bed to sleep in, no photos of loved ones, no dishes, clothing, or daily essentials. Just loss and the long road ahead.

If you can find it in your heart to help, we are humbly asking for support to help her start again. Every donation, every share, every kind word makes a difference. We know times are hard for many, but anything—big or small—brings us closer to helping her rebuild her life, but her hope.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. And thank you for being part of our village in this time of need.