Lightning Destroyed Lonnie's Home
Donation protected
On Wednesday, May 18th, in Crosby, MN, Lon Maynard had hauled in his last load of belongings and sat down on his chair for a nap with his new puppy when a bolt of lightning struck his home. It was his first day to live in his house full time. He had given up his apartment in Eden Prairie and made the final move that morning.
The lightning exploded through his roof and burned through his attic. By the time he and his puppy escaped the fire was in his bedroom and burning the very chair he was napping on. The fire department showed up in minutes but the house was already a total loss. What wasn't burned became soaked in water and ash. We dragged out much of the debris and sludge and swept out the water but it became clear that the house was unsalvageable.
Lon was uninsured. He had arranged for insurance several times but the insurance company was unwilling and always needed certain modifications done within timeframes that were too tight for Lonnie to abide by. Time went by and the worst possible scenario happened.
Lonnie's little house was a wreck when he found it. He cleaned it out and gutted it and over eight years he poured huge amounts of love and sweat into its renovation. He figures he spent about $50,000 into materials not including his labor. The little home was near the mountain biking trails and fishing lakes he had loved since he was young and the Crosby-Ironton community adopted him as one of their own.
We're trying to get Lonnie back on his feet. On the happiest day he can remember in ten years was also his saddest but he says his greatest thanks is that he is alive and healthy and his little pup is safe and sound. He plans on hiring a crew to bulldoze his little plat so he can get a foundation in and a rough frame built. Then we can get working on walls and a roof before the snow flies next fall.
Lon is already overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy but we also need some donations to get this thing flying. If you know Lon, you know how great a fellow he is and that he's never hesitated to give a hand to anyone in need. He's pretty shy about asking for help now and doesn't even own a computer so I'm honored to ask for him.
Thank you!
Steve Stratman and friends
The lightning exploded through his roof and burned through his attic. By the time he and his puppy escaped the fire was in his bedroom and burning the very chair he was napping on. The fire department showed up in minutes but the house was already a total loss. What wasn't burned became soaked in water and ash. We dragged out much of the debris and sludge and swept out the water but it became clear that the house was unsalvageable.
Lon was uninsured. He had arranged for insurance several times but the insurance company was unwilling and always needed certain modifications done within timeframes that were too tight for Lonnie to abide by. Time went by and the worst possible scenario happened.
Lonnie's little house was a wreck when he found it. He cleaned it out and gutted it and over eight years he poured huge amounts of love and sweat into its renovation. He figures he spent about $50,000 into materials not including his labor. The little home was near the mountain biking trails and fishing lakes he had loved since he was young and the Crosby-Ironton community adopted him as one of their own.
We're trying to get Lonnie back on his feet. On the happiest day he can remember in ten years was also his saddest but he says his greatest thanks is that he is alive and healthy and his little pup is safe and sound. He plans on hiring a crew to bulldoze his little plat so he can get a foundation in and a rough frame built. Then we can get working on walls and a roof before the snow flies next fall.
Lon is already overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy but we also need some donations to get this thing flying. If you know Lon, you know how great a fellow he is and that he's never hesitated to give a hand to anyone in need. He's pretty shy about asking for help now and doesn't even own a computer so I'm honored to ask for him.
Thank you!
Steve Stratman and friends
Organizer and beneficiary
Steve Stratman
Organizer
Ironton, MN
Leon Maynard
Beneficiary