On Friday the 27th, our lives changed in an instant. We came home from work and school expecting a normal evening, but instead, we found our house filled with smoke. Our girls were the first to see it, and their screams will stay with me forever. Our beloved pit bull was already gone, and our other children were terrified in the back. My husband tried desperately to stop the fire, but all I could think about was getting our children to safety. Once help arrived, I took our boys to family while our girls stayed with me, unable to leave the house behind. When we returned, we learned that all of our animals—three dogs and three cats—had not survived. They were part of our family, and their loss is devastating.

Now, we are staying in a hotel in Bangor, unsure of what comes next. Everything in our home has to be thrown out due to smoke damage, and we are trying to find a place to stay for the next few months. We also want to give our pets a proper goodbye, but cremation is expensive, especially for animals who have been with us for so many years. Our children lost so many keepsake memories, and while we know we can't replace those, maybe some new things would help bring them comfort.

We are reaching out for help with temporary housing, replacing essentials, and covering the costs to cremate our pets. Thank you for any support you can give during this difficult time. Your kindness means more than words can say.