For those of you who don't know me, my name is Tracey Tell, originally from New Orleans and now a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  For the family and friends who do know me, you are familiar with my 85 year-old Aunt Ruth and my 77 year-old Father Jerry Tell.  It's with mixed feelings that I have created this GoFundMe campaign, as I find it difficult to ask for people's help.  However, I have to swallow that pride and tell you a bit about what my Aunt and Father have gone through.  Eleven years ago my Aunt and Father, who lived together, were forced to evacuate our family home in Arabi, Louisiana because of the approach of Hurricane Katrina.  They evacuated to my Uncle's home in Lake Charles.  Feeling safe for a short time, they were then forced to evacuate there because of Hurricane Rita and came to my 1-bedroom apartment in Baton Rouge, where I had taken in three other friends from the New Orleans area.  Hurricane Katrina's waters completely covered their home in Arabi, and they lost everything they owned: property, possessions, and memories. Over time, they made a new home for themselves in Baton Rouge, and now they have once again lost almost everything in the Great Flood of 2016.


This time, however, they did not have flood insurance because they are in an area that has not flooded in over 50 years.  My Father and Aunt do not know about this fund raiser, as my Father and Aunt do not like to ask people for assistance but they have helped many people over the years.  My Father is a retired electrician.  He has used those skills to help others and refuses to take any money for his help.  In recent years, my Aunt Ruth has  experienced the beginning of some mental decline, which I firmly blame on  the trauma experienced during Katrina.  This year she has started to experience physical problems as well and has developed congestive heart failure.  I love my family with all my heart, as do those of you who know them.  I realize the goal I've set for this fundraiser may very well not be reached; and even if it is reached, it will not be close to making them whole.  But it would make my heart swell to be able to show them the deposit made into their bank account at the end of this campaign, and I know it will touch them deeply and help them greatly to rebuild and furnish their home.  They are in need of everything from walls and flooring to the furniture and appliances destroyed in the flood.  I  understand many of you may not be able to afford to give much or maybe anything at all; so I appreciate anything that you feel comfortable donating.  If nothing else, as a personal favor to me, I would ask everyone to share this campaign  on your Facebook timeline and any other social media that you utilize and vouch for the kind-hearted nature of this family and the great need in which they find themselves -- once again.  And perhaps we will be able to get back to happier times as shown in the picture below, taken on my Aunt's 84th birthday. Thank you so very much.