Lahaina fire heroes need your help to find a home
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My name is Kimberly and I'm raising money for a family that barely made it out of the Lahaina Fire with their lives, yet still managed to rescue at least 40 strangers and 4 dogs that weren't even theirs. They have been searching every single day for a home, getting tossed from Red Cross to FEMA to MEO. Yet, they still have no certainty and remain crammed in an unscrupulous hotel room. The only option at this point is to take the plunge and purchase a home to fix up and make their own. This will simultaneously allow them to open up their doggy daycare and grooming salon to provide for their family again. But they can't do it alone - with the housing prices on Maui they do not have the down payment needed. I am worried, they are at their max with the stress and PTSD. Unfortunately, I know how bad it can get. My dad lost his home in the Paradise fire in California. The stress got the best of him, and he passed of a heart attack shortly thereafter. Please, help me help this desperate family!
Mike, Andreza, and their 5 year old daughter Ellie have touched my life in indescribable ways, and anyone who's met them or entrusted them with their dog family would say the same.
Mike's born and raised on Maui, and lived in his home over 17 years. Andreza and Mike both have a passion for animals and worked so hard to makes their dreams a reality. Mike ran a doggy daycare and gave our dogs the best life they could have ever known. His talented wife Andreza ran the grooming business and was responsible for keeping most of our West Maui dogs looking their best.
On August 8th the fire came so quick they had just moments to flee. They weren't even aware a fire was burning their Lahainaluna neighborhood to the ground. They were able to get the dogs in the car but didn't have any time to grab their belongings. After being routed to front Street the realized they had to flee the vehicle and run for their lives, with the dogs. Once they got to the ocean, the explosions were getting closer, and they realized they were surrounded by fire and going to have to jump in the ocean. Mike called his daughter and his mom to tell them to loved them. Once they were in he began running swimming and forth to help lift people over the seawall and help those that weren't able to help themselves.
They were in the ocean for hours thinking that was it, getting burned when they got in too close and facing drowning while swimming deeper! At one point, he told his wife Andreza to save herself is he didn't make it. Eventually Mike was miraculously able to call the coast guard to alert them of the fire, since somehow they weren't aware at this point. He guided them to the group in the water and aided in the rescue, running back into the fire to help until he collapsed and was taken to the hospital with Andreza who was equally traumatized.
The nightmare's far from over, they are trying desperately to find housing and and begin earning their livelihood again. All while trying to provide some normalcy for their 5 year old daughter, Ellie. FEMA and SNAP and SBA are sending them in circles and they're running out of options. Money raised will go to ensuring they have a roof over their heads.
Being in West Maui myself, the devastation is indescribable. The stories we hear everyday from friends and family are gut wrenching. Most I will never repeat. Unfortunately, I have seen this level of devastation before. Unless you've been through it, there's no way to understand the suffering and desperation our Island is facing.
I may be biased but this is the most deserving family I know. I don't know many people that would risk there lives to save strangers, including your family if they needed it.
P LEASE JUST WATCH THEIR STORY. IF YOU'RE MOVED AND ABLE, HELP ME HELP THESE HEROES. ALOHA!
Watch
Doggy Daycare and Grooming:
Full Interview - longer but important to see
Thank you for taking the time to read their story. Anything helps, big or small!
Organizer
Kimberly Stough
Organizer
Lahaina, HI