On a night that was supposed to be filled with holiday joy, my family and I lost everything in a house fire. I was decorating the Christmas tree by the fireplace, and when I stepped away for just a moment, I returned to find our front room fully engulfed in flames. We escaped with only the clothes on our backs. All the Christmas gifts I had carefully chosen for my ten grandchildren, the new gaming chair my son Miles loved for his desk, and every comfort of home was gone in an instant.

This has been especially hard on my son Miles, who has Down syndrome and is facing surgery on his chest this coming Monday. We don’t even have beds to sleep in, and with winter here, we urgently need coats and shoes. I’m on a limited income, so replacing even the basics is overwhelming. My heart aches for my family, but I know that with the support of our community, we can start to rebuild.

If you can find it in your heart to donate, anything helps—even a prayer. Your kindness will help us replace essentials, provide comfort for Miles as he recovers, and bring hope back into our lives. Thank you so much for your support.