Help Paul & Tam After Heartbreaking Loss of Their Home

Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

On the evening of February 23rd, our hearts broke as we learned that Paul and Tamara’s home had been destroyed in a devastating fire. Not only did they lose everything they owned—clothes, furniture, cherished memories—but they also lost their beloved cat, Bucky.

In the midst of thick smoke and flames, Paul and Tam had to make the impossible decision to leave everything behind and evacuate. They searched desperately for Bucky, but couldn’t find him, and they knew that staying any longer could cost them their lives. Their fear and heartbreak was overwhelming as they watched their home burn.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, but what we know is this: Paul was in the living room, and Tam was upstairs when the fire began in the dining room and quickly spread out of control. By the time they realized what was happening, it was too late to contain the flames, and they barely escaped with their lives.

While we are beyond thankful that Paul and Tam are alive, they are now faced with the overwhelming task of rebuilding their lives from scratch. Their insurance coverage will only cover up to three months rent for temporary housing, and the contractor assigned by the insurance company estimates that the process to restore their home could take 12-16 months. Additionally, the contractor mentioned that most of the coverage for their possessions could be used towards debris removal alone. This leaves them in a devastating financial position, with little support to cover immediate and long-term expenses.

We’re setting up this GoFundMe to help them with necessities like clothing, food, and housing, as well as the ongoing costs of recovery. Any amount you can give, big or small, will make a huge difference in helping them get back on their feet.

This heartbreaking event has reminded us all how important it is to be prepared. We encourage everyone to take steps to protect their homes and loved ones:

- Have an evacuation plan in place and consider packing a "go bag" with essentials and copies of important documents in case of emergency.

- Keep fire extinguishers easily accessible near high-risk areas of your home, and make sure everyone knows how to use them.

- Ensure smoke detectors are in every bedroom and common area, and test them regularly.

- Review your homeowners or renters insurance policy to ensure it covers everything you would need to rebuild and replace your belongings - be practical and realistic of how much your contents are worth and opt for a policy that is truly reflective.

While we are doing everything we can to support them, we know it will take a community to help them through this dark time. If you can’t donate, sharing this page would mean the world to us.

With deepest gratitude,

Stephanie, Jessica, Kregg, and Alisha

Siblings of Paul & Tamara