Help The McGee Family Rebuild After Hurricane Helene

Hi all!! Shannon & Libbe from sunny and very humid Ozona Florida… and we are going to tell a bit of our story from a third party perspective…

A little background… Shannon and Libbe met through their love of health and wellness while Shannon was an RSD at GNC and Libbe was a Territory Manager for Iovate. Their journey started a little rocky as they were so much alike and both being type A Leo’s you can imagine how stubborn they both could be. However as great love stories go, they worked through the stubbornness and developed a great partnership to drive their business. During that time they became great friends and over the years a love grew. During the pandemic when most people were breaking up from close proximity, these two found fun creative ways to keep going. Knowing the gyms were closed they went on daily bike rides worked out at home and even pushed the Jeep around the neighborhood to train legs. Their biggest love was enjoying the water. Their entire lives they have been drawn to water as their place of solitude, reflection and prayer. 2021 brought a new devotion and commitment to the Lord and they married in front of family and friends on the water in Dunedin with a gorgeous sunset behind them.

That pier was destroyed during Hurricane Helene.

They spoke of how they joked(a little truth in the jest) that wished they would’ve met younger so they could have a child together and in September 2023, God brought them Adeline. Adeline was their great niece who was born prematurely due to her bio moms drug addiction and she herself was positive.

The state stepped in and they offered to help. Her journey had been miraculously successful and thru struggles of fighting the withdrawal and many many prayers and sleepless nights, little Adeline started to become an happy healthy baby.

Dealing with the foster system however was no easy task but Shannon and Libbe fought for their little one knowing she was truly a gift from God. Now most people think that they’d be getting help financially for taking in a foster child but since it was literally an overnight thing and they weren’t certified as foster parents there was no assistance given. In fact the Monday prior to Helene their certificate just came thru.

These two had always dreamed of living by the water and in May of 2024 found the perfect home. Not waterfront but in a home with gorgeous views in the background. Close enough but not too close to worry. They did their homework and found the home was built in 1926 and had never flooded. Famous last words. They were drastically downsizing and trying to make life more simple to focus on the important things Faith, Family and Community. They wanted to raise Adeline this way and didn’t want the big house anymore. So like the Beverly hillbillys in reverse they sold everything they didn’t need and made the move.

Once in they loved their new home and community. Sitting out on the porches and deck watching the sunrise and sunset. Getting to celebrate 4th of July from their own home with the fireworks in the background over the water. Taking daily walks and getting to know their new neighbors. Serving and helping in the community.

The month of September wasn’t an easy one it started with Adeline recovering from ear surgery and both Shannon and Libbe getting Covid. Thankfully baby Adeline never got sick but luckily she was able to go to daycare for most of the day. These two finally felt better and life started to return to normal, well for a week and

Then Hurricane Helene happened! The home they searched for and prayed over the one that was their dream home was hit with a record breaking storm surge. More than 5.5 feet of water and even though the house was raised the inside still flooded.

They have lost everything that the water touched. Think about salt water on your skin after a day at the beach and then imagine it soaking everything in your home mixed with gross sludge. Unfortunately, flood insurance wasn’t available, which means they have to replace everything out of pocket. Walk around your home and imagine the costs of replacing everything from the smallest paper clip to your furniture, bikes, lawn mower, and not to mention the repairs.

It’s overwhelming, and to add to the situation, they have Adeline, and the system is not as understanding that it takes time to rebuild as the state wants her in a safe place and since the home isn’t safe their certification can be pulled which adds to the loss of benefits they were supposed to begin in October. Adeline is their heart and they are wanting to adopting her so they need help getting their home back together quickly.

They are asking for help, which, they never do; They are usually the ones helping others.

PLEASE HELP THE MCGEES RETURN HOME!! Every little bit helps, and if everyone gives even just $5, a cup of Starbucks, it will add up quick. Donate and Share with others.

The money will go towards repairs and replacement of the major items in our home furnishings washer and dryer and items for Adeline like a new crib, dresser, car seat etc. The necessary things. If we have anything left over, we will be donating to our church to be used in the community to help more people!! There is no help coming from other sources just from you someone who wants to help.