My name is Caitlin Hammond and on the evening of January 28, my father-in-law and mother-in-law lost everything they’ve ever worked for in a devastating house fire. They not only lost all their belongings, but their pets as well. While they were able to make it out of the fire, by the pure heroism of my father-in-law, the memories and history of their home have been lost.

This is more than just losing your clothes, your shoes, your medications, your favorite chair; the home they have lived in is a multigenerational centennial family farm.

The Hammonds are one of the founding families of Traverse City, Michigan. Over 100 years of history was lost in the flames. The Hammonds' Farm has remained a steadfast reminder among urban sprawl and speeding lanes of traffic where this community began, and the rich tenacity of those who settled in Traverse City.

Chris Hammond, my father-in-law, has worked his entire life. From pushing a broom to being a lead engineer at Tower Automotive, before car parts manufacturing was outsourced overseas. Forced to start over after losing his job due to automotive production being outsourced, he had to start all over again and has worked his way back up from nothing to provide his family a comfortable life.

On the night of January 28, after returning from another long day working, his family home was burning to the ground. He heroically saved his wife who was immobile due to a medical condition she was recovering from. He is a true hero, and we could not be more grateful that he and Judy’s lives were not lost.

While we mourn the loss of material objects, we are deeply grieving the loss of generations' worth of memories, memorabilia, craftsmanship of a home built in 1896, and thousands of family memories… a piece of Traverse City’s history lost forever.

If you have the means, we ask for support to provide them a new foundation financially so they can face the pending medical bills, search for new housing, and replace their belongings.

The Hammond family would like to express their gratitude for the support we have received in such a short period of time.

**ROYS GENERAL STORE AT THE CORNER OF THREE MILE AND HAMMOND WILL SERVE AS A COLLECTION LOCATION FOR DONATED ITEMS**