We are Rochelle Dornatt and Brianne Brown. Today we reach out to you on behalf of our friend and colleague Holly Barnes. Holly experienced one of the most disastrous life challenges last week when her cozy, beloved retreat of a home burned down. She and her much-loved dogs made it out, with Holly only in her pajamas. Firemen found her phone, work computer, and wallet from the first floor in time before the fire could consume them. But the rest is gone.

So our friend was essentially left with her dogs, and the pajamas she was wearing. Nothing else. She is in deep need of assistance to find a place to live, food for the dogs, clothes and household goods to rebuild her life.

The pictures here tell a devastating story. The City of Alexandria turned out 8 fire trucks to douse the flames. Indeed, these photos barely scratch the surface of the destruction. The fire inspectors told Holly it would not be possible to get the carcinogens and chemical smell out of any belongings that were even marginally salvageable (like her armoire), even with professional restorative cleaning. Check out this YouTube video: https://youtube.com/shorts/Yq-WsbtbU9o?feature=share

Holly needs your help. Currently she and her dogs are moving around, living in hotels and with friends here and there, as she navigates the gargantuan task putting life back together and healing from the losses.

Holly gives everyone her heart. We are asking you to please, please make a donation to help Holly heal that big heart so badly broken by this fire. Your assistance will not go unappreciated -- it will help this survivor of cerebral malaria in Africa, two tours of duty in Afghanistan, major surgery in 2025 that went septic (requiring a second emergency surgery), then followed by the death of her mother, make it through yet another challenge -- the most devastating challenge of them all.

Thank you for your donation!

Rochelle Dornatt and Brianne Brown