Around 1pm on April 18th, my sister-in-law Nichole’s home caught fire. By some miracle, she and her two children—my niece and nephew—were not home at the time. A friend who was upstairs sleeping managed to escape by breaking out a window. At that moment, Nichole was attending a friend’s funeral, completely unaware that she was losing everything. The items that weren't touched by the fire were irreparably damaged by the smoke.

If you know Nichole, then you know she is one of the hardest-working, most selfless people out there. She’s a devoted mother who gives her all for her kids. She’s the one everyone calls when they're in a tough spot, and she never hesitates to help.

Now, she’s the one who needs us.

She lost nearly everything in the fire—clothing, jewelry, toiletries, bedding, furniture, electronics, and most heartbreakingly, irreplaceable memories like family photos, baby pictures, and souvenirs from vacations. Her home is gone, and she now faces the overwhelming task of finding a new place to live and rebuilding a safe space for her family.

In the midst of the chaos, we were able to locate three of the family’s five pets shortly after the fire was put out. Thankfully, the other two were found the following morning. All five are safe and are currently being cared for by a family friend until Nichole can find a new home for herself, her children, and their beloved pets.

We’re asking for help to get Nichole back on her feet. Anything you can give—no matter how small—will go directly toward helping her find housing, replace essential items, and begin to heal from this devastating loss.

Funds will also go toward renting a commercial dumpster to clean out and clear away what’s left of the damaged home. Additionally, we hope to help Nichole purchase new furniture for the family’s next home—things like beds, dressers, a couch, chairs, coffee tables, and bedside tables—so they can start fresh with comfort and dignity.

Please donate if you can, and share if you’re able. Your kindness will make a real difference.

With gratitude,

Melissa