I never imagined I would wake up to the smell of smoke and see flames in the corner of my room. In those first moments, I tried to put out the fire myself, but it quickly became clear that it was too much for me to handle alone. I grabbed the water hose, stayed low to avoid the smoke, and did my best to save as much as I could before the firefighters arrived. They worked hard to stop the fire, even cutting holes in the roof to keep it from spreading further, but by the end, 45% of my home was destroyed and will need to be rebuilt.

As I was outside being treated for smoke inhalation, I learned that my beloved pets, Coco and Muya, didn’t make it. The firefighters wrapped them in blankets and gave me a chance to say goodbye, for which I am deeply grateful. Losing them and seeing the damage to my home has been incredibly hard, but I am determined to rebuild and move forward.

The funds from this fundraiser will help cover the cost of repairs, replacing essential appliances, and securing temporary housing while I work to restore my home. I am reaching out to friends, family, and anyone who can offer a helping hand during this difficult time. Your support, no matter the amount, would mean the world to me as I try to recover from this loss and start a new.