Help Amy Rebuild After Fire and Job Loss

This GoFundMe campaign has been started to support Amy McLaughlin Olson, my sister, who has faced an incredibly challenging year. Despite maintaining a positive outlook through all the hardships, it has become clear that she needs our support.

As many of you may recall, on New Year’s Day 2024, Amy’s apartment building in Falmouth, MA, tragically caught fire and became engulfed in flames while she was unknowingly inside her apartment. Thankfully, all residents and pets were safely evacuated, but she was permanently left without a home, having to leave that evening with only the clothes on her back and her precious cat Daisy in her arms. She was suddenly displaced and had to temporarily move in with our mother, miles from her job in downtown Falmouth. While she was grateful to have a place to rest her head, she now had to depend on her very old and unreliable car to get to work.

Finding affordable housing was nearly impossible, as Cape Cod's year round rental market is extremely tight. After months of searching, she and her roommate were able to secure a place in May, although still some distance from her job and significantly more costly than her apartment in downtown Falmouth.

In July, another setback occurred when the restaurant she worked at as a bartender was suddenly sold, leaving her without a job at the height of Cape Cod's busy tourist season. As many of you know, jobs in the hospitality industry are crucial for year-round residents on the Cape, and this unexpected job loss made things even harder for her financially. After quite some time, Amy was able to find temporary employment, but still needs to drive her unreliable car to get to work. With winter approaching, she is increasingly worried about the safety of driving such an unreliable vehicle.

The funds raised through this campaign will help Amy purchase a reliable car, which is vital for her safety and her ability to maintain stable employment. Any support is appreciated, whether it is financial or just sharing this page with others. Your generosity will make a world of difference. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and compassion.