Nicole’s world changed overnight when her apartment building was destroyed by a fire on 4/9/26. In a matter of hours, she lost everything she owned. The only bright spot was that she was able to save her dearly loved bearded dragon, Beastie, who means the world to her. Right now, Nicole is staying with her sister as she tries to figure out her next steps and begin to rebuild her life from scratch.

Nicole’s most urgent priority is making sure Beastie is safe and healthy. He was already sick and on medication before the fire, and now he needs a new tank and all of the required heating elements to keep him comfortable. On top of that, Nicole needs clothing, personal items, kitchen supplies, furniture, and all the basics that were lost in the fire. The road ahead is overwhelming, but every bit of support will help her take the next step forward.

If you know Nicole, you know she is the most caring and generous person there is. She is an amazing Montgomery County Public School art teacher who works hard to help every student find their inner artist. She was actually grading student’s papers when she noticed the fire. It’s incredible to see so many people reaching out to help in any way they can. This fund is an effort to organize all of the offers for help. Any amount you can give will help Nicole get Beastie’s immediate needs met and provide her with some much-needed essentials as she starts over. Thank you for your kindness and support—it truly means the world to her.