Marilyn Linder

I am a mom of three children, and tonight our lives changed in an instant. Our house caught fire after we lost power to half of our home. While I was standing in the kitchen, I looked outside and saw flames. I told my husband to grab the extinguisher, but I knew we needed help fast, so I called 911 right away. The fire department arrived quickly, but the fire has been stubborn—every time they get it out, it seems to catch again. We are devastated, knowing we are going to lose everything, including our clothes, furniture, and food. The damage from smoke and water means we have to find somewhere else to stay for a while, and we’ve lost irreplaceable items that can never be replaced. It’s hard to put into words how overwhelming this is for our family. We are grateful that we are safe, but the road ahead feels impossible right now. The funds from this fundraiser will help us replace the essentials we need—clothing, furniture, and food—and help us secure a place to stay while we recover and rebuild. I hate asking for help, but anything you can do to support us during this difficult time would mean the world to our family. Thank you for reading our story and for any kindness you can share.