Help Stephanie Bongo Reunite her Family after two Hurricanes
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Imagine losing your home, most of your possessions, and your sense of stability—all within weeks. For Stephanie and her two teenagers, Nick and Natalie, this nightmare became their reality when Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck. These back-to-back storms left their home uninhabitable and their family separated, struggling to navigate the overwhelming challenges of starting over.
Stephanie is a loving mother and a resilient provider, but this disaster has pushed her to the brink. As a friend of hers for seven years, I’ve witnessed her unwavering strength and generosity firsthand. Now, she needs our help to rebuild her life and reunite her family.
A Family’s Loss
When Hurricane Helene struck, it brought five feet of floodwater into Stephanie’s home while her family was still inside. They barely escaped with a few belongings, their lives forever changed. Amid the chaos, her son Nick paddled a canoe through the rising water to rescue his mom’s car from flooding—a small but vital lifeline. Sadly, two used cars that Nick and Natalie had saved for with part-time jobs while students were lost in the storm.
Weeks later, Hurricane Milton ripped off a portion of the roof, leaving the house a complete loss. FEMA has declared it uninhabitable, and rebuilding would require a costly teardown and new construction to current codes—far beyond their financial reach. To make matters worse, the home’s value has dropped from $450,000 to $250,000, the amount Stephanie still owes on her mortgage. Years of hard work and equity have vanished overnight.
The Current Reality
Today, Stephanie, Nick, and Natalie are separated, each living in temporary locations while they search for a way forward. Stephanie is determined to reunite her family in Florida so that Nick can finish his senior year of high school and Natalie can continue her promising new career at Busch Gardens.
The challenges are staggering:
- Stephanie is still paying a mortgage on a home they can’t live in.
- Insurance claims are tied up in red tape.
- Local assistance programs, like 211, have been depleted.
She needs a hand to bridge the gap—help with housing costs, replacing essentials, and securing transportation.
How You Can Make a Difference
With your support, we can help Stephanie take the first steps toward rebuilding stability. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to assist with:
- Housing Needs: Covering a security deposit and initial rent payments or contributing toward a down payment to reunite her family.
- Replacing Essentials: Providing basic items like clothing, school supplies, and work essentials lost in the storm.
- Reliable Transportation: Ensuring their one remaining vehicle remains functional for work, school, and daily life.
- Emergency Cushion: Offering a small financial buffer for unexpected costs as they start over.
While $10,000 won’t solve everything, it will provide critical support and help this family take meaningful steps toward stability.
Why Stephanie Deserves Our Support
Stephanie isn’t someone who asks for help easily. She’s a giver—always the first to volunteer at school events, lend a hand to a friend, or show up for her community. Whether it was selling Girl Scout cookies with Natalie, cheering Nick on at baseball games, or organizing a beach cleanup, Stephanie has spent her life lifting others. Now it’s our turn to lift her.
Join Us in Reuniting This Family
Your generosity will help Stephanie create a safe, stable future for her family. Every dollar, every share, and every kind word brings her closer to reuniting with Nick and Natalie under one roof. Together, we can make sure this disaster doesn’t define their story.
Thank you for being a part of this journey and for giving hope to a family that needs it now more than ever.
Organizer
Melissa Hallock
Organizer
St. Petersburg, FL