On Monday night, our family’s lives changed in an instant when a house fire nearly destroyed everything my son, his wife, his mother-in-law, and his three children owned. Their children are ten years old, six years old, and just over one year old. Thankfully, everyone made it out safely, but they lost everything. The home will take approximately six months to repair. In the meantime, they are starting from nothing while trying to keep their lives, jobs, and children’s routines intact. The family is already relying on a single credit card for immediate necessities, and the financial strain is mounting quickly.

My son is an independent contractor who bartends for stadiums in Austin, Dallas, and Houston. He does not receive paid time off, vacation time, or sick leave. He must continue working to support his family while also needing time to secure temporary housing, replace essential documents, and care for his family, who have one shared vehicle. Even basic disruptions mean lost income. Replacing the needed documents alone is both time-consuming and expensive, especially under emergency circumstances.

After losing everything in the fire, these are the most urgent items needing to be replaced to stabilize daily life and care for the children:

lost wages and missed work due to displacement

clothing and shoes for adults and children

food

kids’ school uniforms and supplies

baby supplies

essentials and medications

pillows and blankets

work laptop and cell phone

funds to cover emergency credit card expenses

Christmas gifts for the kids are also needed to bring some comfort and normalcy during this difficult time.

Any support you can give will help my son and his family get back on their feet and provide stability for the children. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and generosity.