Help James Rebuild After Losing Everything in a House Fire

On May 26th, 2025, our friend James experienced an unimaginable tragedy. A devastating fire tore through his home, leaving behind nothing but ashes. In a matter of minutes, James lost everything—his house, all of his belongings, and even his truck. It was a total loss.

James is a hardworking, kindhearted dad whose children are grown—but like most parents, he’s always been the one to help others first. Now, he's facing the hardest chapter of his life and starting over from absolutely nothing.

He doesn’t even have a toothbrush or shoes to call his own.

His fiancée, Natalie, has also been deeply impacted by this tragedy. The two of them were building a life together, and this loss has shaken their world. She’s been by his side every step of the way, helping him face the unimaginable and begin the long road to recovery.

Please see the news story here:

https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/lakeville-home-a-total-loss-after-monday-fire/

We are setting up this GoFundMe to help James with the most urgent and basic needs:

We’re asking for $20,000 to help him get back on his feet, but any amount—no matter how small—means the world.

Please consider donating and sharing this with your network. James has a long road ahead, but with the help of this community, we can surround him with the support he needs to start again.

My name is Mindy Vander Leest, and I’ve been a friend of James (and Natalie) for years. I’m organizing this fundraiser on his behalf to make sure he gets the support he needs during this devastating time. All funds will go directly to James to help him recover and rebuild.

Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and generosity. ❤️

— Mindy