On December 1st, our family discovered a major leak in our home caused by a roof rat that had chewed through our pipes. The damage quickly spread to our garage, dining room, kitchen, and half bath. We immediately turned off the water to prevent further issues, but this left us without running water in our home. While our insurance company will cover the repairs to the walls and cabinets, they will not cover the cost of fixing the plumbing. We found a reputable plumbing company, but the repairs are a significant expense—an amount that is simply out of reach for us right now.

Since losing access to water, our daily lives have been turned upside down. My husband and I both work full time and already live paycheck to paycheck, but now we’re spending extra on takeout because we can’t cook at home, and buying gallons of water for drinking, washing, and even for our dog. Our six-year-old only drinks water, so making sure she has enough has been a constant worry. We’ve had to rely on our neighbors’ hose and fill five-gallon buckets just to flush the toilets. Simple things like showering, doing laundry, and giving our daughter her baths have become impossible at home.

Having water restored would mean everything to us. We could finally shower in our own bathrooms, cook healthy meals, do laundry, and return to a sense of normalcy. My family deeply appreciates any help you can give. Even if you can’t donate, your shares and support mean the world to us. Thank you for helping us get our water turned back on and for being there in our time of need.