This past weekend the house of a neighbor in our small rural community was severely burned. Luckily, she was not at home, but she could not afford homeowners insurance and given the damage, all the insulation, ceilings, and electrical wiring will have to be replaced. This does not include the damage from the smoke and water to the rest of the house. Our community is small, most of us have grown up together, and we feel compelled to help. The house is not habitable, and she does not have many alternate housing options. The community is stepping in and doing everything they can to help, but additional financial help is greatly needed.

The situation is emotionally exacerbated by the fact that the volunteer fire department within 6 hours of the fire posted a picture on their social media of the refrigerator in the burned kitchen. Attached to the refrigerator was a letter with full personal details sent by our town officials asking for $100 fire subscription fee charged to the community. Our neighbor had not paid it yet and the post stated that the "homeowner is now facing a $5,000 bill" to reimburse the fire department. The post went on to say basically that the fire was an example and "if you have not paid your subscription please do so". It was humiliating and shameful for the homeowner that the fire department used a 6-hour old house fire to shame a member of our community by name, and to use it to set an example and advertise for the fee payment. After community uproar, the post was taken down.

Any donations would help tremendously in allowing her to repair her home and would be greatly appreciated. Her daughter will act as custodian of any funds and will manage them to make as many of the repairs as possible. We thank you very much in advance.