This was my home for over 25 years and my parents' home for nearly 35 years. They have been married for 49 years and were looking to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this summer. To lose your home is awful, but to lose your home and everything in it is even worse. Over the last few years, both of my parents have suffered from some medical hardships and were looking forward to a new year and fresh start.

While thankfully they did have homeowners insurance, we know how long of a process that can be. We also know that many times, unfortunately, insurance looks for the least amount to cover. There were antiques, invaluable hunting memorabilia (firearms, biggest buck patches, grand slam patches, and taxidermy), family photos/VHSs, and countless memories to last a lifetime that no amount of money will bring back, and that’s the most devastating part. While it’s a blessing that all family members and others in the home made it out okay, one of the family pets, Thomas (a 17-year-old beagle), didn’t make it. My aunt, who has been an even larger part of my mom’s world over the last year, also lost many items that unfortunately insurance won’t cover because she isn’t a technical resident of the home. We also had a wonderful young couple just starting out their lives living in the in-law apartment for less than a month lose just about everything they had to their names. If you are willing to donate, we will be forever grateful and will use any funds raised to make sure that my parents and those others affected will be able to get back to a somewhat sense of normalcy. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and any other support you may be able to offer.

Something like that