Tragic Holiday Fire
Donation protected
Let's face it. 2020 has not been a good year. Like most of us, Marissa & Blake were looking forward to ending this obnoxious year with a little joy by safely spending some quality time with their family. Tragically, on Christmas Eve, Blake & Marissa were victims of a fire that completely destroyed their home; taking all of their possessions, their sense of security, and worst of all, the lives of their two beloved dogs, Gus and Tilly.
Miraculously, at the time of the fire, Marissa was helping her mother-in-law with some last minute holiday decorating throughout the neighborhood and Blake was en route to pick up his brother who had been involved in a car accident.
For Marissa & Blake, focusing on the needs of others has always been a part of their character.
In the five years that they have been married, Blake and Marissa have become vibrant forces in the Muskegon community. Their gym, Waters Edge Fitness, is a safe, loving, non-judgmental space for community members to learn and to practice yoga, Zumba, Tai-chi, Pilates and other exercises that are meant to build and maintain physical, mental and spiritual health. During this pandemic-ridden year, when many gyms were forced to close their doors, Marissa maintained her positivity and her commitment to her clients by creating and teaching unique and engaging exercise classes (via Zoom) for older adults who were forced to endure quarantine.
Prior to the pandemic, Blake and Marissa often worked with MOKA, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities, to teach exercise classes for those with developmental disabilities. Additionally, they routinely hosted "Zumba-thons" and other fundraisers at their gym to support others who had experienced great loss or were in need.
Money will not assuage the anguish that Marissa & Blake will endure as they navigate through the grief of losing the two pets who were their children. That pain can only be addressed by God and over time. For that, I ask that you keep them in your prayers.
The reality is, though, that money will help to reduce the anxiety and stress that they will face as they work to put the pieces of their life back together. They literally having nothing left other than the clothes on their backs.
Please donate as much as you are able to help Marissa & Blake begin to rebuild and please share this story and the link to the fund with the people in your own personal network. There is still enough time left in 2020 to make it suck a little less.
Miraculously, at the time of the fire, Marissa was helping her mother-in-law with some last minute holiday decorating throughout the neighborhood and Blake was en route to pick up his brother who had been involved in a car accident.
For Marissa & Blake, focusing on the needs of others has always been a part of their character.
In the five years that they have been married, Blake and Marissa have become vibrant forces in the Muskegon community. Their gym, Waters Edge Fitness, is a safe, loving, non-judgmental space for community members to learn and to practice yoga, Zumba, Tai-chi, Pilates and other exercises that are meant to build and maintain physical, mental and spiritual health. During this pandemic-ridden year, when many gyms were forced to close their doors, Marissa maintained her positivity and her commitment to her clients by creating and teaching unique and engaging exercise classes (via Zoom) for older adults who were forced to endure quarantine.
Prior to the pandemic, Blake and Marissa often worked with MOKA, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities, to teach exercise classes for those with developmental disabilities. Additionally, they routinely hosted "Zumba-thons" and other fundraisers at their gym to support others who had experienced great loss or were in need.
Money will not assuage the anguish that Marissa & Blake will endure as they navigate through the grief of losing the two pets who were their children. That pain can only be addressed by God and over time. For that, I ask that you keep them in your prayers.
The reality is, though, that money will help to reduce the anxiety and stress that they will face as they work to put the pieces of their life back together. They literally having nothing left other than the clothes on their backs.
Please donate as much as you are able to help Marissa & Blake begin to rebuild and please share this story and the link to the fund with the people in your own personal network. There is still enough time left in 2020 to make it suck a little less.
Organizer and beneficiary
Danny Byers
Organizer
Muskegon, MI
Blake Evans
Beneficiary
