I’m organizing this fundraiser to help prevent homelessness for a vulnerable 70-year-old friend after a devastating house fire.

It is with sad hearts that we share our friend Anna Brown’s story. Less than 3 weeks ago on December 26, 2025 while she was running errands, she came home to discover that a sudden, devastating fire had engulfed and destroyed the trailer she had been renting for over 3 years, along with everything she owns. She is now trying to rebuild her life at 70 years old.

You can see photos and read the The St. Johns County Florida Fire Rescue writeup on their official Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/100064627211838/posts/pfbid0JbiJ6662w3dmwNNZ8wyUBnfjs9dcEpmtLw2fgrH8ab8ntrwrYxHsctaCj5GRE58Rl/?app=fbl

All at once, Anna lost the things that made daily life possible: her medications, important paperwork, clothes, and every personal possession. The emotional and financial impact of this loss has been profoundly overwhelming.

She is a 70-year-old autistic woman in poor health, living on a very limited Social Security income. She is currently staying in the most affordable motel available while waiting for placement in an assisted living facility, but she only has enough funds to cover one more week. Without assistance, on January 23rd she will have no choice but to live on the street. This motel stay is her only option while waiting for Medicaid waiver approval for assisted living, which could take weeks or months. (A Medicaid waiver means the government has to pay what her income doesn’t cover for the cost of being in an assisted living facility.) Donations will help bridge this short gap and prevent homelessness.

Her Social Security income does not cover a full month at even the least expensive motel. She hasn't been able to find cheaper housing and has no family support, so the time it takes for the assisted living placement means spending part of each month on the street or in a shelter until her next monthly Social Security payment arrives again.

This GoFundMe is intended to help Anna meet her most urgent needs during this transition. We were told by each of the local charities, one by one -- and by Social Services -- that there is no funding available for motel costs. Some will assist with first month's rent or security deposit, but only if there is a lease. Obviously this is not possible for Anna's situation.

Immediate needs include:

• Motel costs to avoid living on the street

• Daily essentials

• Replacing basic belongings lost in the fire

Additional needs:

• A new or used tablet

• A new or reliable used e-bike or 3-wheel electric bike (her previous e-bike was stolen within two days of the fire)

• Medical expenses (doctor and medication copays, etc)

• New or used clothing (2 thrift stores gave her a few outfits initially, but more will be needed over time)

• Eventually a new or used computer and printer

Before the fire, she had been carefully saving and planning to trade in her short-range e-scooter, cash, and long-range e-bike for a safer long-range electric tricycle. It will be her only means of transportation. Since her long-range e-bike was stolen, and her savings has already been depleted due to the fire, she no longer has the funds or trade value to make this purchase. If she is able to obtain the tricycle through donations, she plans to donate the short range e-scooter to another woman her age who could use it.

She applied months ago for a low-income senior apartment and is officially on their waiting list. Unfortunately, with a 4-year wait, it won’t help her current situation.

Anna's indoor/outdoor cat MonstA was outside when the fire occurred and safely escaped unharmed. A foster home or adoption placement for this beloved cat is urgently needed. She is a 3 year old spayed female. (Don’t let her name fool you, she’s sweet.)

Anna is doing everything possible to move forward and secure assisted living, but her fixed income is far from enough to cover emergency housing and replacement costs. Any donation, no matter the size, will help more than words can express. Donations can be made anonymously or by name.

(Note: GoFundMe pre-fills in an optional tip amount on your donation. This tip is in addition to their standard processing fees and is not required ... if you'd like to remove it so that 100% of your donation will go to Anna's fundraiser, it's in the section called "Tip GoFundMe services." You can either slide the green line all the way to left for $0 or click the Enter Custom Tip link.)

Even if you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser link with others would be a tremendous help.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Anna’s tragedy and for any kindness or support you can provide.

[This fundraiser is being organized on Anna Brown's behalf by Debbie, a friend.]