Support for the Short's
Donation protected
Our dear friends, Jen and Shorty (Greg Jr.), have lost everything in a devasting house fire. Just last weekend my husband and I were welcomed into this home where their children were running about, playing games, and hatching Hatchimals – this all centered around our hosts teaching us some new homesteading skills. Three days later, this home of love, friendship, and learning had all been destroyed.
The Shorts, a young family of four, enjoy spending time outdoors, playing music, and raising animals on their Preston County farmstead. Shorty (as called by friends), is a co-owner of an environmental consulting firm and locally-loved musician, and Jen is a part-time dental hygienist, stay-at-home mom, natural teacher, and overall wonder woman. While juggling yet another online course, she finds the time to raise her two rambunctious children, Seneca Jane (6y/o) and Archer Elwood (2y/o), and is one of the best homesteaders I know! Jen is the pied piper of Cheat Fest Kids creating fun and educational activities for thousands of lil’ Friends of the Cheat.
On the bitter cold Tuesday night of January 21, before tucking the kids into bed and heading to sleep herself, Jen was in the kitchen canning pig lard rendered from their very own hogs, raised and butchered at their farmstead just three days prior. Shorty was in Texas, meeting with clients for work. Around midnight, Jen awoke to the shocking sound of a smoke detector, alerting her to a fire raging in the walls downstairs. Jumping into action, Jen tried to put out the flames with their home fire extinguishers, but the fire persisted. Realizing that this was too much for her to go at alone, she heroically gathered her children and family dog, Moa, and safely got them out of the house (into a frigid <10° night) and called for help. She then made what few trips she could to retrieve what meant most to their family: some (but not all) beloved instruments and the hard drive that contained their family photos. Living in rural Preston County, I have to throw a huge thank you to all of the VOLUNTEER firemen and women that came quickly to her aid that evening! Unfortunately, they were unable to put out the fire before it destroyed their long worked for farm home.
The Short family has an amazing support system but are underinsured, and have lost everything. They only got out with the clothes on their back. Jen, Shorty and the kids currently have a roof over their head, and friends have donated clothing, shoes, and immediate necessities. With this request, I am asking for your help to relieve some of the financial burden that comes with this devasting tragedy. Your donations will be used to buy Seneca new boots and a backpack, get lil’ Archie a new balance-bike, provide dog food for Moa, and help the family find a temporary living space, while figuring out the next step; but most of all, this fund is to help rebuild their home that they (and many friends) gave sweat and hard work to create and make their own. While these funds won’t be able to recreate the classic green djimbe drum Shorty usually has strapped around his neck on our Saturday night music gatherings, or the dozens of jars of freshly canned lard Jen was working so hard on that evening, it will aid in the rebuilding of their home, lives, and give them some stability in their now upturned world.
The Shorts, a young family of four, enjoy spending time outdoors, playing music, and raising animals on their Preston County farmstead. Shorty (as called by friends), is a co-owner of an environmental consulting firm and locally-loved musician, and Jen is a part-time dental hygienist, stay-at-home mom, natural teacher, and overall wonder woman. While juggling yet another online course, she finds the time to raise her two rambunctious children, Seneca Jane (6y/o) and Archer Elwood (2y/o), and is one of the best homesteaders I know! Jen is the pied piper of Cheat Fest Kids creating fun and educational activities for thousands of lil’ Friends of the Cheat.
On the bitter cold Tuesday night of January 21, before tucking the kids into bed and heading to sleep herself, Jen was in the kitchen canning pig lard rendered from their very own hogs, raised and butchered at their farmstead just three days prior. Shorty was in Texas, meeting with clients for work. Around midnight, Jen awoke to the shocking sound of a smoke detector, alerting her to a fire raging in the walls downstairs. Jumping into action, Jen tried to put out the flames with their home fire extinguishers, but the fire persisted. Realizing that this was too much for her to go at alone, she heroically gathered her children and family dog, Moa, and safely got them out of the house (into a frigid <10° night) and called for help. She then made what few trips she could to retrieve what meant most to their family: some (but not all) beloved instruments and the hard drive that contained their family photos. Living in rural Preston County, I have to throw a huge thank you to all of the VOLUNTEER firemen and women that came quickly to her aid that evening! Unfortunately, they were unable to put out the fire before it destroyed their long worked for farm home.
The Short family has an amazing support system but are underinsured, and have lost everything. They only got out with the clothes on their back. Jen, Shorty and the kids currently have a roof over their head, and friends have donated clothing, shoes, and immediate necessities. With this request, I am asking for your help to relieve some of the financial burden that comes with this devasting tragedy. Your donations will be used to buy Seneca new boots and a backpack, get lil’ Archie a new balance-bike, provide dog food for Moa, and help the family find a temporary living space, while figuring out the next step; but most of all, this fund is to help rebuild their home that they (and many friends) gave sweat and hard work to create and make their own. While these funds won’t be able to recreate the classic green djimbe drum Shorty usually has strapped around his neck on our Saturday night music gatherings, or the dozens of jars of freshly canned lard Jen was working so hard on that evening, it will aid in the rebuilding of their home, lives, and give them some stability in their now upturned world.
Fundraising team: Team Short (2)
Moriah Peddicord
Organizer
Bruceton Mills, WV
Jennifer Short
Beneficiary
Amanda Pitzer
Team member
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