UPDATE 9/17/2025

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all so much for your love and support. I truly couldn't have made it through these past weeks without you.

After being on medical leave following surgery and hospitalization since August 1, I'm so grateful to share that I was finally able to return to work this past week. It feels like such a big step forward, and I know it was your generosity and encouragement that helped me get here.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for lifting me up when I needed it most.

I'll always be grateful for each and every one of you.

With love and appreciation,

Johanne Mills

UPDATE 7/31/2025

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,

We are deeply touched and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support, and generosity we've received since the fire. Your donations, kind words, and encouragement have given us the strength to begin the long journey of rebuilding after such a heartbreaking loss. From the bottom of our hearts — thank you.

We had 3 days to completely clear out the apartment of anything salvageable and put everything in storage. We couldn’t have done it without friends helping us, pack, move, and encouraging us to eat when that was the last thing we felt like doing.

Every contribution has helped us cover immediate needs like basic clothing, transportation, meals, and toiletries. We also recognize that many families are facing hardship right now, and we’re deeply conscious of that as we ask for continued support.

Opening up this much has been hard. But in the spirit of honesty and hope, we want to share where things stand. While our original goal of $10,000 helped us take the first steps forward, we’ve come to realize that replacing essential items for our family—such as furniture, clothing, and daily necessities—will require more than we anticipated. In light of this, we’ve updated our fundraising goal.

If a financial contribution isn’t possible, we truly appreciate any form of help, such as:

• Donating gently used furniture, kitchenware, or clothing

• Offering help with meals or transportation

• Sharing our fundraiser on social media or in your community circles

• Connecting us with local resources, charities, or service providers

• Volunteering time or expertise (e.g. helping with cleanup or repairs)

We’re overwhelmed—in the best way—by the generosity and love people have shown. We thank God every day for each of you. No gesture is too small, and your kindness helps us move forward with strength and faith.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for walking this road with us.

-Johanne Mills

Hello, I’m creating this fundraiser to support my amazing best friend and their loving family after a recent house fire displaced them from their home of over 20 years.

This comes after the heartbreaking loss of their beloved father and husband, Curt Mills, who passed away from cancer in 2019. Curt was a kind, thoughtful man who taught CCD at St. Barnabas Church for more than 15 years. He loved his family and gave so much to his community.

Since Curt’s passing, Johanne Mills and her two children, Margot and Claire, have worked hard to stay afloat. The recent fire has added serious challenges. The family will need to relocate for about four months while their home is repaired. Insurance is only covering $3,000 in damages, which isn’t nearly enough to meet their basic needs during this time.

They’re currently staying with friends while continuing their daily routines—and we’re hoping to raise $10,000 to help cover temporary housing, food, transportation, and to replace essential items like clothing and furniture lost in the fire.

Any support you can give will help this incredible family recover and move forward.