My name is Rita, and I’m reaching out because a house fire has turned my life upside down. The upstairs of my home is a total loss, and only two rooms on the main level—the kitchen and bathroom—still have power. My house was built in 1947, and now, after the fire, there are two gaping holes in the roof left by the firefighters. I’ve had to close off the upstairs to keep the rest of the house from freezing, and every day is a struggle to stay safe and warm.

What makes this even harder is that I can’t leave my animals behind. My horses and dogs are my best friends, and their safety is my top priority. Leaving them alone in the house isn’t an option, and I can’t imagine being far from them. I also need to stay close to my job and be here to manage the cleanup and repairs while I wait for insurance to decide what happens next.

I’m hoping to raise enough to buy a camper so I can stay on my property with my animals, keep them safe, and continue working and cleaning up. To all who truly know me, you know I’m not a quitter and rarely ask for help. But sometimes, I have to allow myself to reach out when things become too much. Your support would mean the world to me and my animals during this difficult time.