Van Relief Fund

My hometown of Cedar Rapids is hurting right now. Monday's derecho storm left my community in ruins, just when it felt like we had gotten back on our feet after the flood of 2008. I am extremely grateful that my friends and family are safe, but there is still much to be fixed.

My birthday is coming up, and I ask that in lieu of gifts you consider donating to help cover the damage endured by my sisters van, which was crushed by a tree due to the 112 mph winds. 

A bit about my sister: Abby left in August to serve in the Peace Corps, to which her time in Mozambique was cut short when she was sent home in March due to COVID. After spending a few months with my parents, she decided to buy and rebuild a van that she hoped to live in while she awaited being able to continue work overseas. After the timeline of the rebuild was slowed due to her badly breaking her hand, she finally completed it about 2 weeks ago. This van, her mobile home, is completely destroyed and she will not get back the money she spent on the rebuild from insurance. My heart aches for my sister as she now finds herself having to start over, again.

If we are close enough that you would buy me a drink on my birthday (in an imaginary world where people go to bars, which you shouldn't currently be doing) please consider instead putting that $5 towards helping my family during this time. If you feel for my sister and her incredibly bad luck as of late, please consider donating. Thank you so much - sending all of my love home.