Peggy & Tom in need after devastating fire

Hello friends, family, and kind-hearted supporters. We are reaching out to you with heavy hearts and a plea for assistance. We have set up this campaign to share the story of our mother, Peggy, and stepdad, Tom. On Thanksgiving 2020, our parents’ home was consumed by a devastating fire, we are asking for financial help on their behalf as they have had to take on debt while being displaced for over 3 years, and their house is far from complete.

The day began at 2am, with having to put down our beloved dog Daisy. Hours later a stray ember from the fireplace made its way into the attic, the flames consumed cherished belongings, irreplaceable memories, and, most importantly, one of our cats – Mia. Losing two pets and their home filled with a lifetime of belongings, keepsakes, and memories all in the same day was devastating and has taken a major emotional and financial toll on them. Imagine the devastation, watching your home, your memories, go up in flames.

This sadly was only the beginning of their long ordeal. With their remaining pets in tow, they spent the next couple of months living out of a hotel with the added risk of COVID. Although they persistently tried to contact the insurance company, they got no response. Eventually, the insurance company placed them into a rental home with a broken raw sewage pipe under the house causing a fly infestation and horrible smell. Still, the insurance company was again unresponsive for months and refused to take responsibility.

Our parents spent years of hard work to create a home in that house. Our mom used to work 16-hour days, 7 days a week to save and provide for her family. Tom was working nights and weekends to do the same. Our hearts break when we hear our mom cry week after week. They are just moving into their house, but are far from done, they continue to face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from the ground up.

In times of adversity, the support of friends, family, and compassionate strangers is truly invaluable. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will bring them one step closer to rebuilding their lives and restoring their sense of normalcy. We are humbled by the outpouring of love and generosity we have already received and are eternally grateful for any assistance you can provide.

We would like to send a special thank you to the fire departments in and surrounding Chesterfield Township, MI, and Selfridge Airforce base (news article). Our family is very grateful, the fire crews did an incredible job and showed nothing but empathy.

Also, if anyone in the Roseville/Harrison Twp/Chesterfield, MI area has any information on our cat Felix (pictured below) who got out when our parents were moving between rental homes, please, please reach out. We miss him dearly.