Hello, my name is Nathan White.

Last May, I was inside my townhouse when the adjoining unit suddenly exploded. The blast destroyed my home and damaged several neighboring properties. Thanks to where I was in the house, I survived unharmed — but I lost nearly everything, including my fully paid-off car.

For over a month, I wasn’t allowed back inside. What wasn’t destroyed in the explosion was left exposed to the weather and debris and is now largely unsalvageable. Insurance covers some basics, but it was never designed for this kind of total loss. I now face rebuilding years’ worth of personal belongings in an inflationary environment, just as tariffs are driving up prices.

Since May, I’ve been staying with my mom, but life has shifted dramatically. My mom and I are now relocating to my birthplace of Oregon to be near my sister and nieces. We will share an apartment on a year lease to conserve resources while navigating these uncertain times. Meanwhile, I am still responsible for the mortgage and HOA fees on a home I cannot live in, with rebuilding not yet even started.

The uncertainty of when (or how) the townhouse will be finished, what the housing market will look like, and how long it may take to sell has been overwhelming. On top of that, I am self-employed, and the stress, time, and disruption have seriously impacted my business and income.

This year has already been unimaginably difficult for my family. On October 23rd, 2024, we will face the one-year anniversary of suddenly losing my brother in another violent accident. That loss, combined with this disaster, has left me and my family shaken and struggling to rebuild.

Going to Oregon is not the easiest route, but it is where my heart is and where my brother and I have longed to get back to since we left for Chicago when I was six years old. I take great solace in believing that Jason is smiling down on us knowing that his family will be together in the place that he so loved.

Your support will help me cover:

I am deeply grateful for any help you can give — whether through donations, sharing this fundraiser, or simply keeping us in your thoughts.