Home for the Holidays
Donation protected
Thank you to the many many people who were instrumental in saving me and my family during Hurricane Harvey. Many posted on FB, called agencies, friends, police and prayed for our safety.
We waded our way in water up to our shoulders with 3 dogs on floating mats to our neighbors upstairs game room, we spent the night with my neighbor, her son and her 4 animals.
The flooding conditions were too dangerous for anyone to get into our neighborhood to rescue us.
The next morning, we heard a boat and ran down the stairs through the water, yelling, we're here, we are here!
A lady from my church, Unity of Houston, saw on FB the trouble we were in and she sent her sons to rescue us. They had tried to rescue us the night before, the conditions made it impossible. When I saw those boys faces and the kindness in their eyes, tears started streaming.
They loaded us in their boat (7 animals, with my neighbor's pets too) and took us to a holding area. They then went on to rescue many people in our neighborhood...so thankful for them.
While like in the holding area, water began to rise and we then were evacuated by kayak ... yikes :-(... my golden/spaniel elderly dog Max, jumped off the kayak and freaked me out...thankfully, the rescuers got him back on the kayak.
We then were taken to a National Guard truck, that had a six-foot ladder for us to climb on to get into the back of the huge transport truck. No cover on the back of the truck...of course, it started pelting rain, all the adults, children and animals huddled together for the ride to the shelter.
As we entered the shelter at the Methodist church, volunteers handed us dry towels, gave us hugs, and welcomed us to their community. They had set up coffee, drinks, food, and a staging area for our animals. They were so kind and gracious...what a difference their kindness made to us!
One of my dear friends and her fiance came by truck to the shelter and took us to her home where we stayed for the next week and a half (unable to return home).
Harvey took my car, all my belongings, my precious photo albums, the inside of my home, and my yard, however, it did not take my HOPE!
My heart is expanded beyond words for the many people who donated clothes, shoes, toiletries, food, furniture, animal beds, sheets, blankets, and their time and love.
My heart overflows with love for the many volunteers who gutted my home and helped me rebuild.
To the congregant who let me live in her home with my son and animals for months on end.
For the congregant who let me borrow her car.
I have seen the kindest side of humanity...I'm forever changed by such love, compassion, and care.
My home was not in a flood zone, therefore, I did not have flood insurance.
Someone told me "hello Cindy...all of Houston is a flood zone" ... I now have flood insurance.
The FEMA money went for mold remediation ... the mold was hazardous mold and was quite a process for removal.
I'm near the finish line :-) ... a contractor is donating his time to finish my home. I need $5000 for materials and completion.
My wish, hope, and desire is to have my home complete so my family and I can spend the holidays in a finished home.
Anything you can do to help me reach my goal is deeply appreciated.
A donation of any amount helps, OR, a prayer, good wishes, or kind thoughts sent my way is all received in love and gratitude.
Again, thank you to everyone who helped me regain my life.
Many blessings to you and yours-
Cindy
Mold in the walls
National Guard handing out water...much appreciated
Mold in the walls
My backyard during Harvey ...
Our Family Animals watching clean-up of the house ... OR, more like sleeping during clean up :-)
Why do I have to stay in this crate? Our little animals were brave troopers during the evacuation and rescue!
We waded our way in water up to our shoulders with 3 dogs on floating mats to our neighbors upstairs game room, we spent the night with my neighbor, her son and her 4 animals.
The flooding conditions were too dangerous for anyone to get into our neighborhood to rescue us.
The next morning, we heard a boat and ran down the stairs through the water, yelling, we're here, we are here!
A lady from my church, Unity of Houston, saw on FB the trouble we were in and she sent her sons to rescue us. They had tried to rescue us the night before, the conditions made it impossible. When I saw those boys faces and the kindness in their eyes, tears started streaming.
They loaded us in their boat (7 animals, with my neighbor's pets too) and took us to a holding area. They then went on to rescue many people in our neighborhood...so thankful for them.
While like in the holding area, water began to rise and we then were evacuated by kayak ... yikes :-(... my golden/spaniel elderly dog Max, jumped off the kayak and freaked me out...thankfully, the rescuers got him back on the kayak.
We then were taken to a National Guard truck, that had a six-foot ladder for us to climb on to get into the back of the huge transport truck. No cover on the back of the truck...of course, it started pelting rain, all the adults, children and animals huddled together for the ride to the shelter.
As we entered the shelter at the Methodist church, volunteers handed us dry towels, gave us hugs, and welcomed us to their community. They had set up coffee, drinks, food, and a staging area for our animals. They were so kind and gracious...what a difference their kindness made to us!
One of my dear friends and her fiance came by truck to the shelter and took us to her home where we stayed for the next week and a half (unable to return home).
Harvey took my car, all my belongings, my precious photo albums, the inside of my home, and my yard, however, it did not take my HOPE!
My heart is expanded beyond words for the many people who donated clothes, shoes, toiletries, food, furniture, animal beds, sheets, blankets, and their time and love.
My heart overflows with love for the many volunteers who gutted my home and helped me rebuild.
To the congregant who let me live in her home with my son and animals for months on end.
For the congregant who let me borrow her car.
I have seen the kindest side of humanity...I'm forever changed by such love, compassion, and care.
My home was not in a flood zone, therefore, I did not have flood insurance.
Someone told me "hello Cindy...all of Houston is a flood zone" ... I now have flood insurance.
The FEMA money went for mold remediation ... the mold was hazardous mold and was quite a process for removal.
I'm near the finish line :-) ... a contractor is donating his time to finish my home. I need $5000 for materials and completion.
My wish, hope, and desire is to have my home complete so my family and I can spend the holidays in a finished home.
Anything you can do to help me reach my goal is deeply appreciated.
A donation of any amount helps, OR, a prayer, good wishes, or kind thoughts sent my way is all received in love and gratitude.
Again, thank you to everyone who helped me regain my life.
Many blessings to you and yours-
Cindy
Mold in the walls
National Guard handing out water...much appreciated
Mold in the walls
My backyard during Harvey ...
Our Family Animals watching clean-up of the house ... OR, more like sleeping during clean up :-)
Why do I have to stay in this crate? Our little animals were brave troopers during the evacuation and rescue!
Organizer
Cindy Cline
Organizer
Lakewood Forest, TX