Before sharing our story, we want to clear up a common misconception about our housing journey: Our family was officially approved for a Habitat for Humanity home long BEFORE the storm hit on June 11th.

A Habitat home is not a free handout. We are earning this home through hundreds of hours of manual sweat equity, and when it is built, we will be paying a full monthly mortgage, property taxes, and insurance just like anyone else.

More importantly, a home build provides four bare walls and a roof—it does not come with mattresses, shoes, winter coats, school supplies, or bedroom furniture. This fundraiser was created for one reason: to replace the $100,000+ in personal property that was completely destroyed inside our camper so our six daughters have what they need to live and grow.

The Night Everything Changed

On June 11th, a devastating storm swept through Bement, Illinois. The sheer force of the wind ripped our large camper off its pad, throwing it completely across the yard, shattering it, and leaving it flipped upside down.

By an absolute miracle of timing, my wife, Bobbi, and our six daughters were out of town that night. Standing in front of a completely destroyed home was humbling and jarring, but knowing my family was safe was the only thing that mattered.

Why We Waited Until August to Ask

It has been nearly two months since that storm, and I waited until now to launch this page because I hate asking for help. As a father, my natural instinct is to put my head down, work harder, and fix things on my own. But looking at the reality of starting over from absolute zero—from essential work equipment and Bobbi's lost wedding ring to decades of personal property—pride has to take a backseat. My daughters need a stable foundation, and we cannot bridge this massive gap alone.

What Was Lost

Sifting through the mangled metal and debris over these past several weeks, the hardest part hasn't been looking at the destroyed camper—it’s been pulling out torn stuffed animals, ruined toys, shredded clothes, and buried beds.

In a single night, six growing girls lost their bedrooms, their personal spaces, and every piece of comfort and routine they relied on. They deserve to have their lives restored and to feel secure again.

Where Your Support Goes

Every single dollar raised through this campaign goes directly toward restoring what our six daughters lost and ensuring our family can transition smoothly into our future home:

* Basic Essentials: Replacing clothes, shoes, bedding, furniture, and back-to-school supplies for six growing girls.

* Family Security: Replacing essential work gear, daily supplies, and rebuilding the financial safety net destroyed in the collapse.

* Transitioning Home: Covering the immediate costs of starting over from scratch while we prepare to take on our new home mortgage.

Whether you are a neighbor here in Central Illinois or part of our extended news family and friends across the country, your generosity directly impacts the lives of our six girls.

Please consider donating today, or share this link to help us stand up for our daughters.