Hi, friends and community,

I’m reaching out during one of the toughest times my family has ever faced. I recently learned that in just two weeks, my job of over 10 years is coming to an end as my store closes its doors. My wife’s job will also end in January, and with both of us scrambling to find work, we’re feeling the financial strain more than ever.

To make matters worse, we’ve been hit with an unexpected and urgent home repair. Our sewer line has completely failed, causing water to back up into our basement. We’ve been told it needs immediate replacement to prevent further damage, and the repairs include digging through our basement floor and front yard. The total cost is $29,000, and because it’s an emergency, we didn’t have time to plan or get alternative quotes.

With our jobs ending, this expense feels like an impossible burden right now. We’ve always worked hard to provide for our family, but this combination of challenges has left us feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to manage everything.

We’re asking for your help to get through this tough time. Every dollar will go directly toward covering the cost of the sewer line repair, ensuring our home is safe and livable while we focus on finding new jobs and stabilizing our finances.

Here’s how your support can help:

• $10 covers a few feet of pipe.

• $50 helps toward excavation costs.

• $100+ goes a long way in chipping away at the repair bill.

If you can’t donate, sharing this campaign with others would mean the world to us. We know this is a lot to ask, especially during the holidays, but any support—big or small—will make a huge difference to our family.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Your kindness and generosity are deeply appreciated as we navigate this difficult time.

With gratitude,

Ryan Smith