My name is Tom George. I pastor New Life Community Christian Church, a recently reformed Lutheran church in Austin, Colorado, after years of remote street evangelism. Drawn to Colorado's Western Slope in 2016, I was blessed to find my dream house, a beautiful, historic home in Delta, Colorado. The house was built in 1900, using red bricks from the original Delta Brick Company. This home has been a safe harbor for many, including those who are destitute and down on their luck.

From March 14, 2019, until March 2021 I ran church from my home with average attendance of 5 parishioners struggling as the world shut down. For the past decade, my home has been a place of comfort and safety, not just for me, but for many people in need. After four decades of dedicated patronage to State Farm, paying for insurance with no claims, I never imagined I’d be left with such unacceptable assistance when disaster struck. The loss was sustained due to a storm that occurred in March of 2026 bringing with it 60 knot winds and torrential rain. The impacts of the storm on my home, that has stood for more than a century, were substantial damage to the siding and underlayment on all sides of the house, and the roof. To compound the issue, following an immediate claim to State Farm after this storm, Delta has experienced a wetter than normal Spring, causing additional damages due to the unrepaired original damage. Mold has begun to form in multiple locations.

I filed the original damage claim with my local agent in March. Nothing was done or offered by State Farm as a resolution. I was instructed by my local agent, to reach out to the State Insurance Commission. This step has proven to be pointless as the Commission does not have the ability or authority to encourage insurance companies to take any form of action. The next step was to reach out to my local State Representative, whom I have not received any communication back from.

As a disabled veteran, it was then suggested that I reach out to my local Veterans Affairs Inspector General, as this home was purchased using a VA home loan. The VA IG informed me to reach out to the State Insurance Commission as they only deal with Mortgage issues. I have attempted to reach out to Public Assessors in an effort to get a 3rd party assessment of the damage and go after the insurance company once completed. They made clear that by retaining them, if successful, a portion of the proceeds would be taken as payment. If unsuccessful, I would owe them $2,500. I have chosen not to go this route.

Now two months after the original damage, additional storms have exacerbated the situation and continue to cause wind and water issues. As I am on a fixed income, the lack of assistance from State Farm has placed me in a dire position. Damage continues to expand, costs continue to rise and I need to get this stopped and fixed. My home is more than just a place to live. I’ve dedicated my life to serving others and providing community outreach, and this is a last resort option.

I am so grateful for any support that you may provide to help repair my home so I can continue serving others. Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference. Thank you for your kindness and support.

God Bless