Support Sonnier Family After Lightning Struck Family Home

Help My Family Rebuild After House Fire

Hi, my name is Olivia Sonnier, and I’m creating this GoFundMe on behalf of my family after an unexpected tragedy struck our home.

On the afternoon of June 14, 2025, lightning struck the chimney of my childhood home, causing a fire that rapidly spread across the roof. Multiple fire departments responded—from Cade, Youngsville, Carencro, Lafayette, and Broussard. We counted around 10 firetrucks surrounding the house. We are forever grateful.

By God’s grace, my brother and father made it out safely, and before visible flames appeared. Praise God for that.

This is the second major tragedy to touch this home. The first was the passing of my mother, just over four years ago—my dad’s bride of 40 years. And now, the home they built together and worked so hard for... is gone.

We’re grateful for the lives spared, but as you can imagine, the emotional side of this is... heavy. This was our childhood home. And while we’re still facing a lot of unknowns, there are a few things we do know:

What We've Been Able to Save:

Why We Need Help:

To be transparent: We’re still trying to reach a real person at the insurance company. Based on what we’ve reviewed so far, there may be a major gap in coverage—one that will leave us significantly short when it comes to rebuilding or recovering from this loss.

We’ve never walked through anything like this before, and we’re learning as we go. But here’s what we do know: The emotional weight is real, and the financial need is even greater.

How You Can Help:

If you feel led to support, here are ways you can make a difference:

Pray — This is our biggest request. We believe in the power of prayer. Pray for peace, clarity, strength, and provision for our family.

Give Financially — Any amount helps. Truly. We are just beginning to tally what’s needed, but every gift goes toward rebuilding and recovery efforts.

Donate Items — Some have asked about clothes for my dad and brother, who lost nearly everything:

️ Meal Train or Donation Coordinator — We’ve had many generous offers for food and items, but we’re low on capacity to manage logistics. If someone is willing to run point on meals or donations, that would be a huge blessing.

Resources & Guidance — If you have experience with home loss, insurance navigation, or rebuilding—your insight could be incredibly helpful.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. For the prayers, the love, and the respect. This has been a public moment for many, but for us, it’s deeply personal and life-altering. I’ll continue to share updates here as we navigate this journey one step at a time.

With gratitude,

Olivia Sonnier