Support Mindy & Mike’s Family: From Ashes to Hope

“Fire destroys home…. family of 7 left homeless”

Reading a headline like that naturally tugs on our heart strings. After a moment of sadness, perhaps a silent prayer and a thoughtful comment on the social media post, we move on about our day because it doesn’t directly affect YOU or someone you care about.

Until it does.

This very thing happened to my precious friend, Mindy and her family on Saturday, August 10th in Lavonia, GA.

A merciless fire swept through the cozy little home they have been renting for the last 10 years and in less than an hour after the fire started, this family was now homeless.

THANKFULLY, no one lost their life or was injured. However, the house is left in smoldering ruins. It was destroyed.

No, they did not have renters’ insurance, so it’s a double whammy.

What is life like for them now, less than a week after this happened?

Mindy, her husband, Mike and their 5 children ranging in ages from 7-17 are currently crammed into a hotel room: surviving off the kindness of strangers and community.

(There are 7 kids total but the older 2 girls had already moved out)

They each have a little suitcase crammed with some clothes that were donated along with a few personal items.

With limited space they can’t have much more than that. They have a long way to go, and friends, WE CAN HELP THEM GET THERE Mike & Mindy are hardworking, loving parents doing all they can to provide for their blended family.

Perhaps we can help ease that burden a little bit?

Here are the NEEDS:

I belive we can raise enough to cover rent / utilities for AT LEAST 6 months.

The going rental rate for a 3-bedroom home in their area is $1,500 - $1,800/mo.

Charred memories are all they have left of their home on Pleasant Hill Circle.

Let’s help them build bright new ones❤️

Thank you for your kindness.

It really does matter.

Not just here, but everywhere.

Keep spreading it.

(If you care to read a little more about how I know Mindy and why I admire her so much here ya go. Who doesn’t love a good triumph story?!)

When I met Mindy, she was a single mama of 2 little ones. I have watched this woman- this warrior- claw her way up from the pit, falling back into it more times than she would care to count. Yet, she did not quit. She kept going. Even if she had to crawl. You would never have known she was struggling. Even when she had nothing to give, I have seen her muster up a meal or go through her or her children’s clothes to help someone else in need.

NO ONE was going without if she could help it! During this rocky time she was able to obtain her associate degree in education. She was inching closer to her dream.

Mindy ended up moving back to the area she grew up (Hartwell, GA) and a serendipitous encounter allowed her to cross paths with an old friend, Mike Williams. They rekindled their 1st grade “romance” and finally, after 5 years together, they married and OFFICIALLY united their families.

(Mindy had 3 kids & Mike had 3 kids and then they had a child together)

Mike works hard to provide for his family and is fully supportive of his wife pursuing her passion of becoming a therapist. Mindy went back to school full time last year. Her heart’s desire is to help those who have been through trauma (especially sexual trauma as a child) 

This family , these children, love BIG.

They are wonderful.

i am honored to call them friends. They are most certainly like family to me and my Wonder 3!

I sure hope we can show them just how incredible, generous and kind the world really can be.