ONE HOME. TWO FAMILIES. ONE COMMUNITY.

Written by Kayle on behalf of Douglas Matthews

If you know Douglas, you know he's probably going to be a little upset with me for creating this fundraiser.

Those of you who know him also know that asking for help has probably been the hardest part of this entire project.

For months, I've watched him pour everything he has into this mission—his time, his energy, equipment, fuel, his finances, and countless hours that most people will never see.

He never wanted to ask for help.

He just kept saying, "I'll figure it out."

Several months ago, a local homeowner experienced a house fire and later purchased a replacement home for his family.

The family contacted Douglas to see if the damaged home could be used as a live fire training opportunity instead of paying nearly $20,000 to have it demolished and hauled away.

Douglas had a better idea.

Instead of burning the home, he asked one simple question:

"What if we didn't throw it away?"

He asked if they would consider donating it instead.

His vision was simple: relocate the home, rebuild it, and donate it to another local family whose current home is beyond repair and who simply do not have the means to replace it.

Without hesitation, the homeowners agreed.

What started as a simple conversation quickly became a mission to help two families move forward at the same time.

Since then, this project has become much larger than either of us ever imagined.

Most of the work has been completed by Douglas and one of his firefighters, with a few others stepping in whenever they could. Together, they have invested countless of hours preparing the home for transport.

I've watched him come home late, spend weekends working, and continue pouring his own money into fuel, equipment, materials, and everything else needed to keep this project moving forward. With a little help from another wonderful person, but he also doesn't want to put it all on him either and doesn't like to ask.

I've also watched our own family make sacrifices because he believed another family deserved a better place to call home.

He would never call one person and ask them to carry this burden.

Honestly... he probably wouldn't ask anyone.

That's why I'm asking.

Today, I finally convinced him that asking for help isn't weakness and it isn't failure. Sometimes it simply means allowing others the opportunity to stand beside you in something worth doing.

The project has now reached its most critical stage.

The original homeowners are waiting for the property to be cleared so their new home can be installed, and another family is waiting for a home they never imagined they might receive.

To protect the privacy and dignity of that family, we have chosen not to share their names or photographs at this time.

The photos you see here only show the beginning of the work that has already been completed.

Every donation will help cover fuel, transportation, equipment, materials, repairs, utility connections, and the many costs associated with relocating and rebuilding this home.

More than anything, your support helps finish what has already been started.

This has never been about recognition.

It has never been about credit.

It's simply about helping people.

The goal is simple:

Help one family move forward with the new home they worked so hard to purchase after tragedy struck, while giving another family a safe place to call home.

If you are able to donate, thank you.

If you aren't able to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser. Sometimes sharing a story is just as valuable as giving.

Maybe this project will end with one rebuilt home.

Or maybe it will become proof that when a community comes together, one act of kindness can create another.

For now, our mission is simple.

Finish this project.

ONE HOME. TWO FAMILIES. ONE COMMUNITY.

Before I close, I'd like to say one more thing.

If you know Douglas, then you know this project won't be the last time he'll stop to help someone in need. That's simply who he is.

I know this project will be successful because I've seen the heart and determination.

But today, our focus is this mission—finishing this home and helping these two families move forward.

Thank you for believing in Douglas, for believing in this project, and for believing that together we really can make a difference.

One Home. Two Families. One Community.

— Kayle

Fundraiser created on behalf of Douglas Matthews,

Project Lead and Financial Organizer.