Whitson Family Emergency Fire Relief

**Update** Matt and Candice have received such a HUGE outpouring of support and love, they currently have no more room to store anymore clothing donations while they are in the hotel! If you have physical donations for them, we ask that you please hold off for a bit until the family is able to find a home! Great job everyone! Thank you all so much for helping them during this very hard time!

Meet the Whitson Family. Matt and Candice Whitson are hard working small business owners and the parents of 3 very busy children, Xander(11), Freya(5) and Aedyn(10). Xander, the oldest, plays football, his little sister Freya is a cheerleader who wants to be a dog trainer, just like her Dad. Aedyn is a sweet special needs boy who was diagnosed with severe autism as a toddler. Matt has been a dog trainer for 13 years and has owned and operated At Whits End (AWE) Dog training for almost 5 years out of his home. His wife, Candice recently launched her own leash company from the family home and everything was going well. Then, in the early morning hours of Friday May 5th , the Whitson family home caught on fire. As the flames engulfed the basement beneath both boys’ rooms, smoke bellowed into the upper floor. Matt woke up and launched into action to save his clients dogs while Candice was just able to get all of the children out. Matt tried to go back in for his own dogs, but was unable to get to them through the smoke and heat. The firefighters arrived on scene very quickly and were able to get all 3 dogs out of the home safely. After being seen by EMS and a trip to the hospital for Mom and Aedyn, they are very thankful that all the animals and people in the home are safe, but their house has been labeled a total loss, leaving the family displaced with only the clothes on their backs. They’ve lost EVERYTHING. Clothes, memoirs, photos, food, furniture, toys, electronics, kennels, leashes, bins of dog toys, treats and all of the tools they need to continue running their businesses successfully. They have helped hundreds upon hundred of dogs and family’s to live a happy life and now it’s their turn to need help and it’s up to us to help them! Anything you can do, we will take. If you have any physical donations, clothing, food, personal need donations, please reach out to set up a pick up. Xander wears a size men’s small, loves drawing/art supplies, Pokémon and Legos and is missing his rollerblades. Freya is a size 8-10 and loves stuffies, drawing/art and she and Aedyn are missing their erasable tablets. Aedyn is a size 10-12 and loves Ranch Doritos and Snyder Hot Buffalo Wing Pretzels Pieces. Candice is a women’s large to xlg. Matt says he just wants his family to have the things they need, not to worry about him. Anything you can do helps! Thank you!

*Edit* Many have reached out to Matt asking for his personal Venmo. We have added it to the picture section, you can check the picture is the same and confirm without the last 4 digits.

Thank you everyone for your help!!!