Our dear friends, the Stearns family — Cassidy and Shane, and their four boys (Beck, Rocco, Phoenix, and Apollo) — are going through something truly devastating. In September what they thought was just a small leak in their bathroom quickly turned into a nightmare. When the walls were opened, they discovered toxic black mold that had spread far beyond what anyone could see — into the walls, attic, and HVAC system. It became clear that mold spores had been circulating throughout their entire home for years.

The Stearns family had to move out immediately for their health and safety. They were fortunate enough to have a friend lend them their motorhome to put on their property so the boys could all still walk to and from school and practices. What makes this even more heartbreaking is that it happened so quickly and unexpectedly, yet in hindsight it explains so many of the complex and chronic health issues they’ve been dealing with in one way or another since moving in — from fatigue, brain fog, headaches and other neurological issues to chronic inflammation and respiratory symptoms.

The contamination was so severe that nearly everything they owned had to be thrown away. They filled dumpsters with what used to be a lifetime of belongings — mattresses, furniture, shoes, books, appliances and even priceless, sentimental keepsakes that could not be salvaged. To add to the challenges, Apollo and Cassidy both got Covid and so clearing out the house has hit a standstill as Shane still has to work full time during the week an Cassidy was doing most of the clearing herself. What was once their warm, family-filled home will soon be completely empty. Once it is, the HVAC system can be safely removed by the mold remediation company and the house can be cleaned. They have been out of their house since September 21st, and their goal is to be moved back in by Christmas.

After negotiating with their public adjuster their insurance company has agreed to cover $5,000 total, which won’t even cover the cost of rebuilding their bathroom, laundry room and hall closet. The Stearns are now facing $115,000-$130,000 in costs to properly remediate, rebuild, remove and replace the HVAC system, remove and replace attic insulation, and furnish their home again with basic, safe essentials.

Cassidy has had to take time off work to handle the enormous task of clearing the house, coordinating with contractors, and caring for the boys — all while trying to keep their daily lives as stable as possible. Shane has continued to work full-time through it all, but the emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion has been overwhelming.

This GoFundMe is to help the Stearns family rebuild their home and their lives — safely, cleanly, and hopefully in time to move back in by Christmas. Every dollar raised will go directly toward remediation, rebuilding, and replacing the essential items that were lost like mattresses & pillows, a refrigerator, washer and dryer, and a couch. House plants, lamps, toys and all the other things that make a house a home can wait, but the essentials will allow them to start rebuilding their lives and hopefully get them back into their house sooner than later.

Please consider donating or sharing their story. Even small amounts or kind words make a tremendous difference as they work to give their four boys a safe place to call home again.