Help the Fruge Family Rebuild
In a year of unprecedented events, the Fruge family finds themselves in the most extreme circumstances. Both working in healthcare, Jeremy and Kelsey spent the last year navigating the difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the birth of their baby girl, Karsen, in March 2020. The couple served their community, prioritizing the health of others. This may sound similar to many stories you’ve heard throughout the pandemic, but as the year continued, Jeremy and Kelsey continued to persevere through hardships.
In August 2020, catastrophic Hurricane Laura tore through their home in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Taking immediate action, they began to repair damage - just in time for a second record-breaking Hurricane Delta to cause more destruction in October 2020. It was one step forward and three steps back. Displaced from their home like many others in Southwest Louisiana, Jeremy and Kelsey worked through the struggles of insurance negotiations and finding contractors to work on their home. Progress was made until the next natural disaster, an ice storm unlike anything experienced since the early 1990s. Jeremy himself shoveled snow to create water as the city went without running water and electricity for days.
Finally, in May 2021, the Fruge family was able to move home following all these difficulties! Unfortunately, just one week later on May 17, 2021, groups of slow-moving storms led to unprecedented flooding in the Lake Charles area. The newly renovated Fruge home took on 8-10” of flood waters, causing them to lose everything and damaging precious family items.
The Fruge family’s story is unique, but through the struggles they have committed to the health of their community and to raising a resilient and happy baby girl. The absence of flood insurance makes the task of rebuilding for a third time in 10 months a huge financial strain. We are asking for help on behalf of our brother’s family, in whatever capacity you feel called to do so - momentarily and in prayer. Their immediate need is approximately $40,000 for home repairs. Any excess in monetary donations will be made available to others with similar needs in Southwest Louisiana.
Thank you,
Allison Gaubert and Jennifer Sims
