Let's Get Jim Hoffman Going Again!
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Hi I'm Bob Hoffman, and I live in Hartford, CT, helping Jim Hoffman (my brother!) get back on his feet. He was recently flooded during Hurricane Harvey in Houston. He lost his apartment and car (see above picture for a look at his car), but is safe! Needless to say, he needs to get help getting back on his feet. We've started this gofundme page to let friends, family, and even those who don't know Jim that they can contribute to getting Jim up and running. We know that many of you have already contributed to charitable organizations, like the Red Cross, and that is greatly appreciated. This is a way to help Jim personally!
I've included Jim's story below (and below that is his list of items and estimates for replacing his lost belongings):
"I moved to Houston in July of 2016 for a job promotion. I knew about the flooding in Houston so I asked around and did some research to find a place where it was not likely, or less likely, to flood. I even talked to some of the residents and met a couple who said that they had been here for 10 years living on the first floor and they had never been flooded. I thought that it sounded like there was very little risk of the first floor flooding so I went with a first floor apartment. I went straight out and financed a whole new furniture set for both the living room, bedroom and bathroom and moved in on July 14th, 2016.
We had all learned about what was, at that time, Tropical Depression Harvey which was over the Yucatan Peninsula and was likely to hit Houston the following weekend. On the 25th of August, 2017 it escalated to a Category 3 Hurricane and became a Category 4 Hurricane on the 26th. I live about 35 miles from the coast so I did not fear for any wind damage. But, the weather forecasters were predicting 30+ inches of rain. So, flooding might become a problem. I figured if I just stocked the pantry I could ride out the storm here.
On the morning of August 27 I woke up and all of the power was off. The smoke detectors were beeping and woke me up at 5:10 AM. I could hear what sounded like a waterfall outside. I opened my front door and the water had already reached the front door.
I immediately set about trying to save what I could and put some of the electronics in the top shelf of my bedroom closet where there was room.
The water was rising so fast that in about 15 minutes the water was already over the tops of the insoles on my shoes. I put some items that I thought I would need in my small backpack and headed up to the second floor of the building. Throughout the day on Sunday I was continually checking my car and apartment. The car became completely submerged. The water rose to my mid-thigh in the apartment. Both are a total loss.
To avoid making this long story even longer, I’ll abbreviate the rest. Luckily, the apartment complex had a couple of maintenance guys who were residents. One of them came by where I was “camped out” in the stairwell and told me I could use apartment 117 on the third floor. I have been here since.
My apartment complex has given me until the end of the month to find another apartment. Insurance covered my car with the exclusion of the $1,500 deductible. I did not have flood insurance for the apartment. Any help that anyone can provide to help me get back on my feet will be appreciated.
Thank you.
Jim"
LIST OF LOST BELONGINGS:
-BRAND NEW LIVING ROOM SET INCLUDING SOME LIGHTING $3700
-WALL HANGINGS $500.00
-LIVING ROOM RUG $450.00
-BRAND NEW BED ROOM AND BATH SET $1500.00
-BOOKS $300.00
-CLOTHING $700.00
HOUSEHOLD GOODS/REFRIGERATOR ITEMS $350.00
-LOSS ON VEHICLE $1,500.00
-STORAGE AND MOVING $1000.00
TOTAL LOSSES ~$10,000
How will funds be distributed: On an as needed basis
our contributions will be either sent from me
to Jim via his Paypal account or withdrawn directly by Jim
I've included Jim's story below (and below that is his list of items and estimates for replacing his lost belongings):
"I moved to Houston in July of 2016 for a job promotion. I knew about the flooding in Houston so I asked around and did some research to find a place where it was not likely, or less likely, to flood. I even talked to some of the residents and met a couple who said that they had been here for 10 years living on the first floor and they had never been flooded. I thought that it sounded like there was very little risk of the first floor flooding so I went with a first floor apartment. I went straight out and financed a whole new furniture set for both the living room, bedroom and bathroom and moved in on July 14th, 2016.
We had all learned about what was, at that time, Tropical Depression Harvey which was over the Yucatan Peninsula and was likely to hit Houston the following weekend. On the 25th of August, 2017 it escalated to a Category 3 Hurricane and became a Category 4 Hurricane on the 26th. I live about 35 miles from the coast so I did not fear for any wind damage. But, the weather forecasters were predicting 30+ inches of rain. So, flooding might become a problem. I figured if I just stocked the pantry I could ride out the storm here.
On the morning of August 27 I woke up and all of the power was off. The smoke detectors were beeping and woke me up at 5:10 AM. I could hear what sounded like a waterfall outside. I opened my front door and the water had already reached the front door.
I immediately set about trying to save what I could and put some of the electronics in the top shelf of my bedroom closet where there was room.
The water was rising so fast that in about 15 minutes the water was already over the tops of the insoles on my shoes. I put some items that I thought I would need in my small backpack and headed up to the second floor of the building. Throughout the day on Sunday I was continually checking my car and apartment. The car became completely submerged. The water rose to my mid-thigh in the apartment. Both are a total loss.
To avoid making this long story even longer, I’ll abbreviate the rest. Luckily, the apartment complex had a couple of maintenance guys who were residents. One of them came by where I was “camped out” in the stairwell and told me I could use apartment 117 on the third floor. I have been here since.
My apartment complex has given me until the end of the month to find another apartment. Insurance covered my car with the exclusion of the $1,500 deductible. I did not have flood insurance for the apartment. Any help that anyone can provide to help me get back on my feet will be appreciated.
Thank you.
Jim"
LIST OF LOST BELONGINGS:
-BRAND NEW LIVING ROOM SET INCLUDING SOME LIGHTING $3700
-WALL HANGINGS $500.00
-LIVING ROOM RUG $450.00
-BRAND NEW BED ROOM AND BATH SET $1500.00
-BOOKS $300.00
-CLOTHING $700.00
HOUSEHOLD GOODS/REFRIGERATOR ITEMS $350.00
-LOSS ON VEHICLE $1,500.00
-STORAGE AND MOVING $1000.00
TOTAL LOSSES ~$10,000
How will funds be distributed: On an as needed basis
our contributions will be either sent from me
to Jim via his Paypal account or withdrawn directly by Jim
Organizer and beneficiary
Bob Hoffman
Organizer
Hartford, CT
James Hoffman
Beneficiary
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