Strong Family House Fire Fund

A dear friend and her two sons recently lost everything to a house fire. What they lost, to be sure, wasn’t that much by some standards. But at least there were four walls and a roof; at least the boys had school clothes; and Neeta, who works as a certified nursing assistant, had her pastel-colored uniforms, which she washed out in the sink late every night, getting ready for the next day’s work.

Cheerful and gentle, Neeta is really good at what she does, and her elderly clients adore her. At home, Neeta is devoted to her boys. Her younger son, at 14, is a big teddy-bear of a boy who has a passion for art, especially Japanese anime, and loves to cook. Her older son, aged 16, is a good-looking youngster on an academic fast track. Like a thousand other kids in Atlanta, he dreams of being a successful rap artist. In the meantime, he’s set to graduate from the Early College program at Washington High, with a bundle of college credits already under his belt.  

This Go Fund Me campaign is sponsored by Alice & Deb, friends and fans of Neeta for almost 30 years. Throughout that time, we have constantly marveled at her resilience in the face of adversity. Her childhood was chaotic by our standards, but none of it seemed to faze her. She was always the neighborhood’s reliable ray of sunshine, watching over our kids as she grew older, and lighting up our homes with her sweet spirit and radiant smile.

When this latest tragedy struck, we resolved it was time to offer more than hugs, sympathy, or help paying a utility bill. So we scoured the city, and finally found a little house in the boys’ school district. We aim to get the place repaired, secured, cleaned up, furnished, and—fingers crossed—ready by Christmas.

We are determined to make a small, safe haven for this sweet family but the full financing is beyond our means. Please, give whatever you can; and help the Strong Family come “home” for Christmas.