I am the oldest daughter in a family that’s always done its best to make ends meet through the obstacles life has a way of throwing at us, just like the rest of the world. 13 years ago, we lost everything when the second unit of our duplex caught fire. The crews needed to enter through our side, and the damage from the smoke and water made practically everything a loss. My parents were left raising three young kids from one hotel to the next with the help of the Red Cross, reliving the nightmare no kid or family should endure.

Fast forward to Nov 5, 2025, all of us kids are grown and both of our parents live alone. By some unfortunate stroke of fate, my dad is stuck in déjà vu. His home caught fire in Hummelstown, which left the building condemned and nothing salvageable from his apartment. You never think it will happen to you… and you certainly never think it will happen twice. This is going to be a long, hard journey for him - more emotionally than physically, but the physical needs won’t wait for the depression to pass. His clothing, furniture, food… it’s all gone. Anything this community can do to help as he figures out where to restart from this tragedy will mean more than you know. We are shocked this nightmare is replaying. It isn’t a story you’re ever supposed to tell twice, and it certainly isn’t one you get to walk away from twice to be able to tell. In that, we are grateful he wasn’t home and no one was hurt. Now the days of waking up in a fog as he attempts to make sense out of how to move forward begin. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.