Help Joan & Richie Recover
Donation protected
Hi everyone, this is Justine, Joan's daughter.
September 10th Hurricane Irma devastated our amazing community, Naples, FL leaving many people without a home, including my parents, Joan and Rich Gibbons. When they were finally able to return home, the damage was overwhelming, with more than a foot of water having destroyed most of their belongings and rendering the house uninhabitable. Since they were renting after losing their own home three years ago, they did not have flood insurance and it's possible that their renters insurance may not even cover their loss. With the enormous amount of people who suffered losses, FEMA will not even be able to assess their home for up to two weeks and their insurance is determining whether they will even have a claim. (Flood vs wind driven rain) Seriously??
Many of you know my parents and know their story. It has been a difficult several years for them to say the least. With Richie's continued failing health and advanced age, as well as my mom's incredible health scare this year- diagnosed with colon cancer and subsequently undergoing a very difficult surgery and recovery, they already have overwhelming medical expenses and all on a fixed income. It is truly impossible to convey the stress they are currently experiencing during what should be their "golden" years.
My mom has always been the kindest person you could ever meet and anyone that knows her would agree. And Richie, for all of his crankiness, has done more for his community than most- one that he has called home for more than 50 years. As a fireman for East Naples, he began a toy drive nearly 40 years ago that over the years has provided toys to thousands of needy families at Christmas time. Even up until last year, he continued to help out, working with the group that was responsible for constructing the 9/11 Memorial in Naples.
Please help us make things a little less stressful on them by alleviating some of the expenses of relocating and attempting to recover from this devastating loss - which is more than we as a family can handle. All of the funds will be given directly to them to pay for their expenses, which include replacing all of the items they have lost, helping them find and pay for a new place to live and moving expenses. It truly does take a village.
Even though my husband, children and I recently moved to Ponte Vedra on August 1st, Naples will always be my home and all of those affected; friends, family or strangers are on my mind and in my heart.
Thank you,
Justine Andollo
September 10th Hurricane Irma devastated our amazing community, Naples, FL leaving many people without a home, including my parents, Joan and Rich Gibbons. When they were finally able to return home, the damage was overwhelming, with more than a foot of water having destroyed most of their belongings and rendering the house uninhabitable. Since they were renting after losing their own home three years ago, they did not have flood insurance and it's possible that their renters insurance may not even cover their loss. With the enormous amount of people who suffered losses, FEMA will not even be able to assess their home for up to two weeks and their insurance is determining whether they will even have a claim. (Flood vs wind driven rain) Seriously??
Many of you know my parents and know their story. It has been a difficult several years for them to say the least. With Richie's continued failing health and advanced age, as well as my mom's incredible health scare this year- diagnosed with colon cancer and subsequently undergoing a very difficult surgery and recovery, they already have overwhelming medical expenses and all on a fixed income. It is truly impossible to convey the stress they are currently experiencing during what should be their "golden" years.
My mom has always been the kindest person you could ever meet and anyone that knows her would agree. And Richie, for all of his crankiness, has done more for his community than most- one that he has called home for more than 50 years. As a fireman for East Naples, he began a toy drive nearly 40 years ago that over the years has provided toys to thousands of needy families at Christmas time. Even up until last year, he continued to help out, working with the group that was responsible for constructing the 9/11 Memorial in Naples.
Please help us make things a little less stressful on them by alleviating some of the expenses of relocating and attempting to recover from this devastating loss - which is more than we as a family can handle. All of the funds will be given directly to them to pay for their expenses, which include replacing all of the items they have lost, helping them find and pay for a new place to live and moving expenses. It truly does take a village.
Even though my husband, children and I recently moved to Ponte Vedra on August 1st, Naples will always be my home and all of those affected; friends, family or strangers are on my mind and in my heart.
Thank you,
Justine Andollo
Organizer
Justine Stoddard Andollo
Organizer
Naples, FL
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