Support a Disabled Veteran's Family after Hurricane Helene

Hi. I don’t even know where to start. My family and I live in Hudson, NC. We were hit pretty hard by Hurricane Helene. The house was deemed unlivable.

We didn’t have flood insurance so homeowners insurance won’t help us. Our family consists of my husband, who is a disabled veteran, myself his unpaid caregiver, and our 3 boys, ages 21, 17, and 12. While I am extremely grateful that our house is still standing and we still technically have a roof over our heads the amount of black mold from the water damage is making myself and my son who have asthma very sick. I was told I have stage one COPD. My son has long covid from when he was hospitalized with a covid in July 2023. His anxiety is so bad that he hasn’t left our home in 8 months so we’ve been having to sleep in the car in our driveway. He’s having trouble breathing as well when we have to go inside. I don’t know why these things have happened to any of us up here in Western NC and Eastern TN but I know we’ve been let down. I’m so grateful to those to have volunteered their time and given their own resources to help others. My husband is about to have surgery for a hip replacement so I’m trying to get as much done as I can before that happens.

We bought our home, our first home, in December of 2021. We worked so hard to save up and fix our credit to be able to provide a stable home for our kids and now it’s gone. I don’t have the ability to financially cover the costs and labor to pay someone to help with repairs. I’ve done what I can as far as ripping out the drywall, insulation, and flooring as I can. We just need a hand up. I will pay it forward as soon as we are able to get back on our feet. I don’t want this to sound like a sob story because we never ask for or accept help but this time we have no choice. I have no way to provide Christmas for my children. I know that ultimately isn’t important right now but it’s just another thing I feel guilty about. While we didn’t live a perfect life before this we were comfortable and making ends meet for the most part. I’ve been unable to pay certain bills so that we could replace the food we lost. Choosing between eating and paying our bills is not something I ever thought I’d have to do again. Anything is appreciated, anything at all and if you can’t help, please know I am grateful that you took the time to read our story. Prayers are also very welcome.