On November 13th, my family's world changed in an instant. Our uncle, 86-year-old Voyd Allen, lost his entire home in a devastating fire in East St. Louis, IL. The flames moved quickly and destroyed everything inside. Within minutes, the home he loved — the one passed down through our family — was gone.

Uncle Voyd escaped wearing only the pajamas on his back.

Amazingly, he later found his cellphone in the debris. Everything else was lost.

He had no homeowners insurance. At 86, living on a fixed income, there is no safety net to fall back on. The Red Cross provided $500, but that is the only assistance he has received so far.

He is currently staying with friends with no permanent home and no belongings of his own. The reality of starting over at his age is overwhelming.

Uncle Voyd is a quiet, humble man who has spent his entire life helping others. Even in his eighties, he was the neighbor who fixed things, built things, and showed up whenever someone needed a hand. Not long ago, he even fell off the roof while trying to repair his own home — always determined to take care of the place he loved.

He is also a cancer survivor who has endured more hardship than most people ever will. Through it all, he has always been the person others could rely on.

Now he is wearing borrowed clothes, sleeping wherever he can, and trying to figure out where to begin.

The Home He Lost

This was not just a house. It was a family home — left to him by his late sister, the same place where their mother was cared for. It held decades of memories and meaning.

The fire destroyed everything inside:

The structure may still be standing, but the interior is a total loss and unlivable.

A Loss Beyond the Home

One especially heartbreaking part of this tragedy is that Uncle Voyd kept his small personal savings hidden inside the home — including funds he had set aside for future end-of-life expenses. Those savings were completely lost in the fire.

For someone his age, losing that nest egg has taken an enormous emotional toll. It represented independence and the comfort of knowing he wouldn’t burden anyone.

Why We’re Asking for Help

With his home destroyed and no insurance, there is no path forward for Uncle Voyd without support. Donations will help provide:

Immediate Needs

Depending on assessments:

Any amount donated will make a meaningful difference and help bring stability during an incredibly difficult time.

Our family is grateful for every person who reads this, shares this, or contributes in any way. We will continue to post updates, photos, and videos as we work to get Uncle Voyd safe, stable, and supported.

Thank you for helping him rebuild after this devastating loss.

My name is Verna Moran, and I am Uncle Voyd’s niece. I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of our family to help him recover after losing his home and all of his belongings in the fire. I am coordinating his emergency needs, temporary housing, and long-term recovery. All funds donated will go directly toward supporting Uncle Voyd’s essential needs and rebuilding efforts.