Help the Whitemans rebuild Gabi’s safe space

Hi Everyone,

This fundraiser is to help my sister’s family get back on their feet. On Wednesday, September 1st to Thursday, 2nd, 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Ida devastated many communities in New Jersey. Unfortunately, their house was affected as well. They had to move to a hotel for a week, due to the damage to their house.

On Sept. 1st, Gabi, my niece, was asleep in the basement when my sister heard water rushing. It was their sewer backing up into their beautiful finished basement. My sister quickly woke her and they rushed upstairs. By the time they evacuated their home, there were 4 inches of category 3 water (grossly contaminated with pollutants including fungi and bacteria) in the entire basement. The amazing firefighters shut off their gas main for safety, and they moved to a hotel.

My niece, Gabi, has an infectious laugh and super smile. While 21 and considered an adult, you may not know the many things she struggles with because of her Autism. She has made great progress and can usually handle her triggers (which cause outbursts) when not at home. At home is where she lets her guard down, she often uses the basement as her safe space. If there is going to be a storm, she knows she will be safe by going to the basement to sleep with her eye mask and ear muffs on.

Marcela, my sister, was able to get a restoration company to complete mold mitigation and sanitization so they just moved home Sept. 7th. They are still waiting on the plumber to turn on the gas and check the furnace and hot water heater.

While they did have sewer backup insurance, they did not have flood insurance, as they are not in a flood zone. The sewer backup insurance only covers a third of the demolition costs and none of the reconstruction or furniture that needs to be replaced.

Besides any repairs or replacement of appliances, they also want to install a check valve in the sewer line to minimize the possibility of this ever happening again. They need to replace the day beds, sofas, computer furniture, coffee tables, elliptical machine, bar stools, book shelves etc., and repair the walls.

Gabi has handled their temporary displacement from home remarkably well, and is happy to be back in the house, even without hot water. She is already asking when they’re going to fix the basement and get new “furnitures”.

Join me and the many others who know and love the Whitemans (Marcela, Anthony, Elena and Gabi) rebuild a safe space for Gabi with these fundraising efforts. We truly appreciate anything you can contribute. Thank you, in advance, for your generosity and support. God bless you and keep safe!