This past weekend, our family experienced a devastating barn fire that took the lives of our animals and a very special part of our daily life. We lost our six beloved goats — Jolene, Buttercup, Mater, Dolly, Finn, and Cash — three of which were pregnant. We also lost our seven chickens and one duck. The barn and everything within it were central to our home, our routines, and our hearts.

Our animals were not just livestock; they were family. Each one had a personality and a place in our lives. Dragonfly Point Acres has always been more than a small farm to us — it’s where we’ve built memories, taught our children responsibility and compassion, and welcomed others to share in the experience. Our goats were also shown each year at the Delaware State Fair, something our family looks forward to and works toward together. In addition, Amie hosts summer camps at our home, where the barn and animals play a meaningful role in giving children hands-on experiences with farm life.

Losing them so suddenly has left a tremendous emptiness in our home and on our property. Beyond the emotional loss, we are now facing the challenge of rebuilding the barn and, eventually, restoring the farm so we can continue the traditions that mean so much to our family and to the kids who spend time here. Our hope is to rebuild in time so that we can still participate in the fair this year and give the kids an opportunity to work with new goats again before summer.

We struggle to ask for help, but many friends and community members have reached out asking how they can support us. If you feel led to give, any contribution — no matter the amount — will go directly toward rebuilding what was lost and helping us slowly restore Dragonfly Point Acres. Your kindness, prayers, and encouragement mean more to us than we can fully express.

We are incredibly grateful for the love and support already shown to our family during this difficult time. Thank you for helping us move forward and rebuild.

With sincere gratitude,

The Marvel Family

If you prefer to give directly, we have also included our Venmo: @David-Marveliii