Support Needed for Hoffmans' Hurricane Recovery

Joan Hoffman is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of her husband and children, from Asheville, NC, to rebuild our family home.

Our Story:

Hello, friends and kind-hearted souls. We are the Hoffman family from Asheville, NC, and we’re reaching out for your support as we navigate the immense challenges presented by Hurricane Helene, which severely impacted our home and our lives.

My name is Joan Hoffman, a teacher and full-time caregiver to my beloved mom, Mimi, and my two young children. My husband, Jim, and I have made significant sacrifices to care for her during this difficult health journey after her aggressive breast cancer diagnosis. While we have faced tough times, we focused on creating a loving and nurturing home for our children and for Mimi, who has also now developed dementia.

Our daughter is an A honor roll student with a vibrant spirit, and our seven-year-old son, who has autism, requires ongoing therapies to help him flourish.

The Impact of the Storm:

As Hurricane Helene approached, we prepared the best we could. The moment the first rains came, our home began flooding. I rushed to save our valuables by moving them upstairs while my husband ran a sump pump and a floor pump, hoping to protect what we had worked so hard for. As we lost power and the storm intensified, I left Jim and headed to my mother’s home for safety while my husband stayed behind, determined to protect our home.

What followed was a nightmare: five long days without communication, surrounded by fallen trees, as we huddled together with limited supplies. Finally, my husband returned, having fought tirelessly against rising waters, keeping our home from sustaining further damage. With sheer determination, we began the arduous task of cleaning up and assessing the destruction.

Unfortunately, the aftermath of the storm revealed that our homeowners insurance denied our claim, citing "water intrusion." After several appeals, our assistance from FEMA was limited to just $18,000—far below the nearly $50,000 needed for repairs.

The Road Ahead:

Currently, our home is still unlivable. Even the smallest rainstorms lead to flooding, and mold is becoming a serious concern. We have a portion of the exterior repairs and basement drain work scheduled for later this month, but we need to raise additional funds to complete the necessary repairs to ensure our home is safe and healthy.

We believe in the power of community and hope that by sharing our story, we can find the kindness and support to rebuild our family home. Your contributions will go directly toward fixing our home.

Join Us:

We invite you to join us in this journey toward recovery and healing. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference in our lives. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your compassion, support, and generosity during this difficult time.

With love,

The Hoffman Family

All money will be used to repair our home. These are the current costs:

Septic service and marking $150 - PAID

Outside water abatement - excavation, drains, backfill, etc. $22,450 PAID

Place inside drain in foundation, sump pump and battery backup $6,800 PAID

Mold remediation moderate level $2,000

Replace insulation $1,600

Drywall and supplies $600

Paint $350

Replace vinyl flooring $6,804

Replace water filtration system for well water $800

Replace couch, mattresses, bedding, and other furniture that couldn't be saved $4,000

Replace hot water heater (on demand) $2,500

Bathroom - awaiting estimate

Additional labor to repair interiors will be updated soon.

Total cost without bathroom and interior labor $48,054