Early this morning, our lives changed in an instant. My girlfriend Emily Martinez and I woke up to smoke pouring into our bedroom and neighbors urgently banging on our door. Lightning struck our apartment building, collapsing the roof and leaving the property too dangerous to enter. The Fire Marshall told us we lost everything. Thankfully, my four-year-old daughter Ezra was safe and not in the apartment when this happened.

Right now, we’re staying with Emily’s mom while we wait to move into a new apartment unit on Monday. My biggest concern is making sure Ezra has her clothes, toys, and the comfort she needs to feel safe again. We also need to replace kitchen supplies, furniture, appliances, and clothing for our family. Starting over is overwhelming, but we’re grateful to have each other and a place to stay for now.

Any support would mean the world to us. We’re just simple people trying to get back on our feet after this unexpected disaster. Your help will go directly toward rebuilding our home and giving Ezra the stability she deserves. Thank you for reading and for any kindness you can share.