On November 3rd, our lives were shattered when a powerful tornado ripped through our home, leaving behind a trail of devastation that feels impossible to overcome. The roof and decking alone will cost around $30,000 to repair, and that’s just the start. We still have no windows, no fence, and a massive hole in the roof that leaves us vulnerable to rain, wind, and cold. The garage is in ruins, and the thought of rebuilding feels overwhelming. To make matters worse, while we do have insurance, they’ve told us they’ll only pay $15,000 for everything. That amount won’t even come close to covering the cost of a new roof, let alone windows, a fence, the garage, or the vehicles we’ve lost.
My mother, a dedicated teacher who has spent her life giving everything to her students, and my father, who works long hours for a weed control company to keep our family afloat, are already stretched to their limits. This disaster has pushed us to the edge, both financially and emotionally. The home that once held so many cherished memories—birthdays, holidays, and quiet family moments—now feels like a hollow reminder of all we’ve lost.
I’m an aspiring teacher myself, set to begin student teaching in December. This should be an exciting time in my life, but instead, I’m consumed with worry about how my family will recover from this. I want to focus on my future and my passion for teaching, but it’s hard to think about anything other than the overwhelming challenges we’re facing right now.
We’ve lost so much, but we haven’t lost our hope or our determination to rebuild. Still, we can’t do it alone. We’re humbly asking for a helping hand—any support, no matter how small, would mean the world to us. Your kindness could help us replace a window, patch the hole in our roof, or simply give us the strength to keep going.
This tragedy has reminded us of how fragile life can be, but it’s also shown us the power of community and compassion. If you’re able to help, please know that your generosity will not only help us rebuild our home but also restore our faith in brighter days ahead. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for considering supporting us during this incredibly difficult time.
