Panhandle fire victims single dad Joey & Dimitri

Joey, devoted single father to his incredible 7-year-old son Dimitri, has recently faced an unimaginable tragedy. Their home in Fritch Tx burnt to the ground in the Windy Deuce Wildfire that ravaged the Texas Panhandle, leaving them with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. Joey works at the nearby refinery and Dimitri is a precious Fritch first grader who loves building things with his dad and PawPatrol. They love their community and they'd love to be able to stay in Fritch.

Joey and Dimitri’s road has not been an easy one. Dimitri was born weighing only 3 pounds, struggled to survive the first few months of his life, and then suffered extreme abuse and neglect at his mother’s hands. Dimitri was awarded to Joey at 18months old, at which time he was vision impaired and testing at a 0-3 month cognitive level. Joey has worked so hard with him to overcome his obstacles. Dimitri is now thriving but we are worried that interrupting his stability and education at this stage could have long term effects.

Despite the pain and loss, Joey remains a pillar of strength for his son, determined to provide him with a safe and secure environment. But the road to recovery is long and arduous, and they cannot do it alone. Like 70% of Fritch, there was no insurance. And, unlike the Smokehouse Creek Fire, there is no big corporation stepping up to take financial responsibility for this fire. Joey was able to get their immediate needs, hygiene, socks and underwear, and a few outfits but they are currently in temporary housing and will need to find somewhere to live by 3/29/24. It's a bleak reality. Rentals are scarce and their options are dwindling.

Your support, no matter how small, will go a long way in helping them rebuild their lives and restore their sense of security.

The financial burden that Joey is facing is overwhelming. Starting from scratch is a daunting task, and the costs of finding a new home, replacing essential items, and ensuring his son's well-being will be steep.

By contributing to their GoFundMe campaign, you can help Joey and his son take their first steps towards healing and rebuilding. Your generous donations will be used to secure a new home, provide them with the necessities, and ensure that Dimitri can continue his education without interruption.

Together, we can help them rise from the ashes and create a new beginning filled with hope and possibilities. Let's show them that they are not alone in this journey. Let's be the source of light and hope that they desperately need right now. Please keep Joey and Dimitri in your prayers as they adjust to their new normal and navigate this difficult time.

My name is Callie Callison. I now live outside of Fort Worth but my family's roots run deep in West Texas, and I have family, friends, and customers in the Panhandle. I have organized and donated to several other causes during these devastating wildfires but as the child of a single parent myself, I was incredibly touched by Joey and Dimitris story and felt led to do all that I can to help them rebuild. All proceeds will go directly to helping them secure a new home and replacing what was lost. We have been unable to find any support or resources for single dads. Joey is a rarity and he deserves all the help he can get.