This used to be my mom and brother's home. Along with their beloved dogs, Motley - 1 and Elvis - 4 months. My mom, brother and aunt went two miles into Phoenicia and spent about 30 minutes running errands. They came home to the house engulfed in flames with the dogs inside. All three entered the house in an effort to get the dogs out, but it was in vain. Motley died of smoke inhalation 4 feet to the left of the front door. Elvis has not yet been found. My mom and brother lost EVERYTHING. Every item they've attained over their lifetimes. Clothing, beds, couch, all family photo albums, memorabilia and not least their much loved animals. This is a completely devestating blow to our families. They are going to stay with me for the time being of course. But they need to rebuild their lives and unfortunately they have no safety net. Their house was a rental, an old house with old electrical wiring which likely caused the fire. To double the blow of losing everything they owned, there was no renter's insurance on the property, thus leaving them and us in a precarious financial position.
If you can for a moment think of what you would feel like if you came home to everything you ever knew gone. Those dogs that lit up my children's lives. That table that belonged to my great grandmother. All of the photos of past memories and family - gone. Your bed, gone. Your clothes, gone. Your shoes, gone. Your entire desk filled with all important information and paperwork, gone.
And all of this on Easter Eve.
If you can see it in your heart to give just $1. Every $1 will add up and maybe we can help them back on their feet in beds, with more than the clothes on their backs. Money won't heal everything. But as we try to heal our hearts, it will certainly help.

Thank you.

- Vanessa