Hello my name is Harry. As Hurricane Helene destroyed so much of our beautiful coastline, our family is devastated to share that at after over 50 years living in our little corner of paradise, the unthinkable has happened. My Grandmother, Mary Charles, is now facing the unimaginable. At 94 years old, Mary, or Mema, has weathered many storms in her home - as well as raising four daughters (“The Charles Girls”), and building loving memories with her seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

While Hurricane Helene did not make a direct impact here on our coast, her storm surge left an indelible mark. The beautiful home Mary and her husband built to raise their family in was completely flooded and uninhabitable. As four feet of gulf water crashed into her home it destroyed the furniture, the heirlooms, the walls, and tried its best to leave a mark on the countless mementos, memories, and legacy Mary has spent 50 years cultivating and saving for her family. In the picture above, you can see the line on the outside of the house to where the water had risen to.

Despite her age, Mary embodies resilience, grace, and strength. She remains the clever, funny, and quick witted woman we’ve always known. However, the financial burden of rebuilding is overwhelming. She requires assistance to restore her home and her life. Her home, now unrecognizable, will require a lot of love and effort to bring it back to the haven it has always been for our family. We know that so many are going through the pains of rebuilding at this time. It is with heavy, humble, and grateful hearts that our family asks for any assistance while we begin this journey to recovery. It is our sincerest hope that we are able to help rebuild not only her home, but to also restore her legacy.