Hi, my name is Martha and I am fundraising for my dear friend Erin Schuyler (Skyler to most of us). On June 1st, the home Skyler was renting burned down. Skyler was not home when the fire occurred, and neighbors let her dog, Bear, out (he has smoke inhalation and is still in active recovery).

Skyler had been in the house for less than a month; her previous lease ended in February, and with the current housing market it took her over two months to find a new home to rent. The costs of temporary housing, storage, and movers took a toll on her finances. Additionally, this loss comes on the heels of a traumatic and costly health crisis; this spring Skyler had an extreme reaction to the covid vaccine that left her with heart damage and hearing loss. She is still struggling and adjusting to life with a significant hearing impairment and physical limitations due to the heart damage, and now faces another very stressful and costly situation.

The fire was concentrated in the main living area of the home and the upstairs rooms. Everything in the living room and dining room was a loss. Some of her glass and ceramic kitchen items survived the extreme heat, but all her appliances, food, and kitchen items that couldn't withstand the heat were a loss. Her workout room was located upstairs and she lost a lot of gym equipment. The remainder of the home, including office, closets, laundry room, and Skyler's bedroom and bathroom, was totally coated with soot, damaged from the heat, and waterlogged from putting out the fire. Her home office equipment was lost including computer monitors, speakers, printer, office chair, and miscellaneous office supplies. She lost her vacuums, and is not sure if her new washing machine and/or dryer will work after the exposure to heat and smoke. Her bed and bedroom furniture were a loss. Many of her personal items were unsalvageable. She is attempting to salvage clothing, but is not sure how much of the soot and smell will wash out. Bear's crate, beds, service vest, leashes, bowls, toys, etc. were lost.

Salvaging items from the home, moving them to storage, and eventually moving them to a new home is even more challenging because Skyler is not to lift more than 15 lbs due to her current medical state.

Neighbors and friends have been incredibly kind and donated both clothing and toiletries in addition to feeding her and providing practical and emotional support, but this will still be an expensive and long recovery.

Funds raised here will go to Skyler to help cover the costs of:

• temporary housing
• obtaining new housing
• storage and moving of possessions she was able to salvage
• replacing household goods she lost in the fire

For folks at ABBC, there will be a benevolent offering this next week if you would like to donate via the church.

Thank you all for your support for Skyler during this challenging time. Whether you are able to help financially or by saying a prayer, giving a high five, or sending a text, all are so appreciated.

And for those of you who will appreciate it, look what survived the fire: