Support Emergency Road Repairs for Advance Mills Village

Emergency Relief: Help Us Reconnect Advance Mills Village!

We're a group of neighbors in Advance Mills Village, Virginia, and we're reaching out because our community is facing an emergency. On Saturday, July 19th, a severe storm ripped through the area. It completely washed out the only road that connects our homes to the rest of the world.

Our only way in or out is a dirt path through the woods that we created, with the kind help of Albemarle County emergency services, Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company, and other community members. It's tough going, even with off-road vehicles. Ambulances and fire trucks can't get through. The Albemarle County Fire Department has been amazing, and even they said this is one of the worst washouts they've ever seen.

Imagine not being able to get out for groceries, to pick up prescriptions, or even just to see family. That's our reality right now. A lot of our neighbors are older, many in their 80s and 90s, living quietly on Social Security and savings. They've built their lives here, some for 35 years. This isn't just an inconvenience; it's a crisis.

The tough part is, because our road is private, we're on our own. There's no county or state funding for this. Engineers are telling us it could take at least a year to fix.

We've got a two-step plan to get our community reconnected, and we're humbly asking for your help:

Step 1: Make Our Emergency Road Safe (Our Immediate Need)

First, we desperately need to make that path usable. We need $50,000 for gravel to lay down so we can safely shuttle people out of the neighborhood in an emergency. This isn't a long-term fix, but it's vital for day-to-day survival right now.

Step 2: Rebuild Our Permanent Road (Our Long-Term Solution)

Once we have emergency access somewhat stable, we have to tackle the big project: rebuilding a permanent, strong road with a fortified culvert. This will cost at least $500,000. It's a huge number, but it's what's needed to ensure something like this never happens again and that our community can access the outside world. Our neighbors simply don't have these kinds of resources on their fixed incomes.

This isn't just about a road; it's about our home, our community, and making sure our most vulnerable neighbors are safe and cared for. Every bit helps, whether it's a few dollars or sharing our story with others.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering helping us get our village back on its feet.