In the wee hours of July 12, 2025, a massive healthy oak tree collapsed onto my property without warning, damaging my fences, yard, roof, and the outer structure of my home. The tree also completely destroyed my garage and the car parked inside it.

The car that was totaled was my 2017 Subaru Outback, which I had kept in excellent condition and intended to drive for another 5–7 years. Unfortunately, although Allstate has provided a payout based on its Blue Book value, that amount does not come close to covering a replacement vehicle of similar reliability or safety. Even pre-owned Outbacks from 2016–2019 are now priced around $25,000-$35,000 or more, and current inventory is limited.

This vehicle was not a luxury — it was my lifeline: for commuting, caregiving, creative work, and staying connected to community. Replacing it is my primary need.

Additional challenges:

• I was still recovering from major surgery when the tree fell, which drained my savings due to medical bills and downtime from work.

• I’m in the process of launching a publishing imprint focused on uplifting marginalized writers. The disaster has delayed my ability to fundraise, file my LLC paperwork, and move forward with that work.

• Like many people, I don’t have a financial cushion to absorb disasters like this, and I’m now at risk of losing momentum in both my creative and personal recovery.

I’m asking for help with:

• Replacing my vehicle

• Covering costs beyond what insurance paid out

• Regaining stability after this disaster so I can continue building the foundation for my business

Any support — whether financial or through sharing this link — makes a genuine difference. I’ll post updates here and on Instagram as the situation unfolds. Thank you for holding me up through this storm.

With deep gratitude,

RL Watson