Dear friends - on June 26, my sister and her family experienced a horrible flood in and around their home in Wichita, Kansas. The entire family, including pets, were able to get out of the home safely after being rescued by local firefighters, which was covered by KWCH News. My sister Cassie is a first-grade teacher at Clearwater Elementary School, and in the home is her husband John, who also works for the school district, their three daughters - twin 14-year old's Madilyn and Melody and 13-year old Maci, as well as our father, two dogs and a cat. They left the house with basically nothing with them except phones, and they don't know when they'll be able to get back in at this point to assess damage and get clothing and other possessions.

Now, they are facing a challenge that is too big to overcome alone. Their renters insurance does not cover any flood damage. As of 1 p.m. on June 26, we know that large appliances are ruined, as the washer, dryer, fridge, freezer, riding lawn mower and propane tank were all under water, and one of their cars was filled with water. We're starting this GoFundMe ask at $10,000 as a base until we can assess what the full needs are. Your generosity can make a real difference in helping them recover from this disaster.

We're reaching out to our community for support. Any contribution would help them in replacing their possessions and getting back on their feet. Thank you for considering a donation to help the Nickel family during this difficult time.