If you know Katrina Carpenter, then you know what unwavering strength, generosity, and community leadership look like. She shows up for all of us—with a full heart, a steady hand, and a beautiful vision for how our community can thrive.

As we enter into 2026, it's important to know how 2025 has tested Katrina and her family in unimaginable ways. Two devastating house fires displaced her, her husband Travis, and their two children. They lost nearly all of their belongings—not once, but twice—and mourned the heartbreaking loss of their beloved pets. In the midst of this, they also said goodbye to Katrina’s mother, Miss Sharon Rischer, the matriarch of their family, whose passing fell on the same day as a major community event at the Café. True to form, Katrina showed up for that event, as she always does—for all of us.

Like many of us, Katrina believed they were fully insured—until the reality of being underinsured collided with the rising costs of rebuilding. She has carried the financial weight of reconstruction out of pocket, while also navigating the ongoing demands of running a small business in a tough economic climate.

Despite every hardship, she has continued to lead, serve, and pour into our community without pause. Now, it’s our turn to quietly pour back into her.

I’ve set up a private GoFundMe with the goal of raising $25,000 to help ease the financial pressure as Katrina and her family work to complete the rebuild of their home. This isn’t a public campaign, nor is it something Katrina asked for—but it is something I believe she deeply deserves. Two community members that have shown up with unwavering support, Samantha Renz & Jeff Postel, thank you for pouring into Katrina and her family they way she pours into to so many of us.

If you’re able to contribute, thank you. If you prefer to submit supporting directly to their contracting company, please reach out for those details. If not, kind words and quiet prayers are equally welcome. Please do not share this link publicly—this is a private gesture of love and gratitude for someone who has given so much of herself to all of us.

With appreciation,

Sara Fairley-Luna