Please Help the Sylvester-Johnson Family
Please Help The Sylvester-Johnson Family
(ABOVE- The day the property of the Sylvester-Johnson 's became a river.)
On Thursday, October 11, 2018, the remnants of Hurricane Michael hit the Roanoke Valley in Virginia, just weeks after the remnants of Hurricane Florence brushed by Roanoke dropping about the same amount of rain as Michael. The ground was saturated. Unknown to the Sylvester-Johnsons, part of an embankment next to US Highway 220 gave-way, blocking an often-dry creekbed running adjacent to the Sylvester-Johnson's property. It had become filled with rapid flowing water, heavily dosed with fallen branches, limbs, small trees, and sizeable rocks, further exacerbating the blockage, causing the flow to be diverted straight into and through the Sylvester-Johnson's property and house. A house bought less than 2 years ago, that husband and father, Anders Sylvester-Johnson, had worked incredibly hard and long hours, days, and months, to renovate, while working at the same time, full-time, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial, and raising their four children.
(The aftermath, one full day later. Note the new 'creek' running through the property.)
Because the house and property were not located within a designated flood plain, the thought of applying for additional Federal Flood Insurance was never a consideration. Their homeowner's insurance policy will not cover the damages to the house, to the property, nor will it cover the loss of personal property within the house's basement and first floor. This means they still carry the mortgage on a house and property that they cannot inhabit, while trying to secure a new domicile. Which means they will now have TWO mortgages to pay, while also raising and providing for their four children.
The Sylvester-Johnson family was already under severe stress while continuing renovations within their home for the last two years. Unexpected job changes for Anders, and for Stephanie, as well as seeing to the needs of their children, added to their stressful burden. A very personal loss of a loved member of their family, Stephanie's Stepmother, just a few weeks before Michael, devastated Stephanie most accutely, added incredibly to their stress. They didn't need anymore to burden their hearts and psyche, yet nature had one more event to test their physical and mental endurance, not to mention their faith. It seemed Hurricane Michael was evil.
(The Sylvester-Johnsons in happier times.)
A little backstory about Anders and his family, for those of you who dont know him personally. Anders' grandmother and grandfather founded and ran the Roanoke Rescue Mission, until his mother, Joy, and his late father, Jon, took over and ran an unsurpassed beneficiary organization that helps to repair people damaged by the difficulties too often abundant in life. Anders and the Sylvester-Johnson family have worked in capacities, whether at the Rescue Mission or as medical professionals, to help and heal the hurts of innumerable lives and souls in Roanoke. Their love and compassion for their fellow human beings is immeasurable.
Now, they are in dire need of your help, to recuperate from the losses from their now condemned home, and start over to rebuild their lives, for, knowing Anders as I do, I know he would never ask for help. In fact, as he has become aware of the efforts of his friends to raise money to help him and his family, he was truly overwhelmed by this. His first inclination upon learning this was to minimize his need for such assistance. Thankfully, over time, realizing he and his family ARE the people needing help this time, he acquiesced, and accepted the greatly needed funds. While the funds raised to date, between the three campaigns, is substantial, it falls far short to cover the loss of home, property, and possessions, lost on that October day. Most of it has already been used to pay down their debts, in order to secure another loan for their new home.
Please put yourself in their position. Can you imagine what it would be like to lose practically every thing you own? That while your wife, your children, and you are thankfully healthy and uninjured during such a disaster, everything you had worked for to provide a home for your family is gone!
(ABOVE- This used to be the first floor entry at the front door. This taken as the water was still rising.)
I am Ken Cooper. I have known Anders for almost 20 years, but our friendship has only solidified in the last 5 or 6 years. I have come to know Anders, and his family, better in those last few years. His compassion is immense, his duty to family, and his non-judgemental attitude are just a few of his admirable qualities.
I cannot sit idly by while my friend and his family struggle to recovery from this disastrous event. Wheelchair-bound for the last year, I simply cannot do anything physically to help. This is why I started this campaign. I had no idea that other friends of Anders and his family would be starting their own campaigns shortly after I started mine. Every donation matters, no matter what size, no matter which of the three campaigns you donate to. When totalled, this could amount to enough to alleviate their monetary burden and therefore remove some of the stress to the Sylvester-Johnson family.
(ABOVE- The water continues to rise... how far will it rise?!)
I hope as you read about Anders and his family, you will know your donations will not be in vain, and can immensely help unburden the Sylvester-Johnsons of that oft asked question after natural disasters as this, "What next?"
(This is the front elevation of the house. -ABOVE- The aftermath. There used to be a concrete and brick staircase with covered front stoop- completely washed away.)
(ABOVE- The driveway next to the house, looking towards their garage.)
UPDATE: The house has been assessed to be a total loss. This makes their need for assistance even more dire. Please help them by making your donation today! Even if you cannot make a financial contribution, please pass this plea to your friends and family! As well, their detached garage has collapsed in on itself a day ago. (Below)
(ABOVE- This used to be their detached garage.)
(ABOVE- This used to be a grass-covered lawn.)
Here is the news story shown by one of our TV stations, WDBJ-7: https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Michael-destroys-historic-home-498118921.html
Please, time is of the essence. Their debts grow as their resources dwindle. Please find it within yourself to donate what you can. Even if you don't know Anders or his family, even if you don't live in Roanoke, nor Virginia, every single dollar you donate, can make a difference. Please pass this along to friends and family! Anders, Stephanie, the whole Sylvester-Johnson Family, needs you love, your compassion, today! May you have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a very Happy New Year! God bless you!
Ken Cooper
(ABOVE- The day the property of the Sylvester-Johnson 's became a river.)On Thursday, October 11, 2018, the remnants of Hurricane Michael hit the Roanoke Valley in Virginia, just weeks after the remnants of Hurricane Florence brushed by Roanoke dropping about the same amount of rain as Michael. The ground was saturated. Unknown to the Sylvester-Johnsons, part of an embankment next to US Highway 220 gave-way, blocking an often-dry creekbed running adjacent to the Sylvester-Johnson's property. It had become filled with rapid flowing water, heavily dosed with fallen branches, limbs, small trees, and sizeable rocks, further exacerbating the blockage, causing the flow to be diverted straight into and through the Sylvester-Johnson's property and house. A house bought less than 2 years ago, that husband and father, Anders Sylvester-Johnson, had worked incredibly hard and long hours, days, and months, to renovate, while working at the same time, full-time, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial, and raising their four children.
(The aftermath, one full day later. Note the new 'creek' running through the property.)Because the house and property were not located within a designated flood plain, the thought of applying for additional Federal Flood Insurance was never a consideration. Their homeowner's insurance policy will not cover the damages to the house, to the property, nor will it cover the loss of personal property within the house's basement and first floor. This means they still carry the mortgage on a house and property that they cannot inhabit, while trying to secure a new domicile. Which means they will now have TWO mortgages to pay, while also raising and providing for their four children.
The Sylvester-Johnson family was already under severe stress while continuing renovations within their home for the last two years. Unexpected job changes for Anders, and for Stephanie, as well as seeing to the needs of their children, added to their stressful burden. A very personal loss of a loved member of their family, Stephanie's Stepmother, just a few weeks before Michael, devastated Stephanie most accutely, added incredibly to their stress. They didn't need anymore to burden their hearts and psyche, yet nature had one more event to test their physical and mental endurance, not to mention their faith. It seemed Hurricane Michael was evil.
(The Sylvester-Johnsons in happier times.)A little backstory about Anders and his family, for those of you who dont know him personally. Anders' grandmother and grandfather founded and ran the Roanoke Rescue Mission, until his mother, Joy, and his late father, Jon, took over and ran an unsurpassed beneficiary organization that helps to repair people damaged by the difficulties too often abundant in life. Anders and the Sylvester-Johnson family have worked in capacities, whether at the Rescue Mission or as medical professionals, to help and heal the hurts of innumerable lives and souls in Roanoke. Their love and compassion for their fellow human beings is immeasurable.
Now, they are in dire need of your help, to recuperate from the losses from their now condemned home, and start over to rebuild their lives, for, knowing Anders as I do, I know he would never ask for help. In fact, as he has become aware of the efforts of his friends to raise money to help him and his family, he was truly overwhelmed by this. His first inclination upon learning this was to minimize his need for such assistance. Thankfully, over time, realizing he and his family ARE the people needing help this time, he acquiesced, and accepted the greatly needed funds. While the funds raised to date, between the three campaigns, is substantial, it falls far short to cover the loss of home, property, and possessions, lost on that October day. Most of it has already been used to pay down their debts, in order to secure another loan for their new home.
Please put yourself in their position. Can you imagine what it would be like to lose practically every thing you own? That while your wife, your children, and you are thankfully healthy and uninjured during such a disaster, everything you had worked for to provide a home for your family is gone!
(ABOVE- This used to be the first floor entry at the front door. This taken as the water was still rising.)I am Ken Cooper. I have known Anders for almost 20 years, but our friendship has only solidified in the last 5 or 6 years. I have come to know Anders, and his family, better in those last few years. His compassion is immense, his duty to family, and his non-judgemental attitude are just a few of his admirable qualities.
I cannot sit idly by while my friend and his family struggle to recovery from this disastrous event. Wheelchair-bound for the last year, I simply cannot do anything physically to help. This is why I started this campaign. I had no idea that other friends of Anders and his family would be starting their own campaigns shortly after I started mine. Every donation matters, no matter what size, no matter which of the three campaigns you donate to. When totalled, this could amount to enough to alleviate their monetary burden and therefore remove some of the stress to the Sylvester-Johnson family.
(ABOVE- The water continues to rise... how far will it rise?!)I hope as you read about Anders and his family, you will know your donations will not be in vain, and can immensely help unburden the Sylvester-Johnsons of that oft asked question after natural disasters as this, "What next?"
(This is the front elevation of the house. -ABOVE- The aftermath. There used to be a concrete and brick staircase with covered front stoop- completely washed away.)(ABOVE- The driveway next to the house, looking towards their garage.)UPDATE: The house has been assessed to be a total loss. This makes their need for assistance even more dire. Please help them by making your donation today! Even if you cannot make a financial contribution, please pass this plea to your friends and family! As well, their detached garage has collapsed in on itself a day ago. (Below)
(ABOVE- This used to be their detached garage.)(ABOVE- This used to be a grass-covered lawn.)Here is the news story shown by one of our TV stations, WDBJ-7: https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Michael-destroys-historic-home-498118921.html
Please, time is of the essence. Their debts grow as their resources dwindle. Please find it within yourself to donate what you can. Even if you don't know Anders or his family, even if you don't live in Roanoke, nor Virginia, every single dollar you donate, can make a difference. Please pass this along to friends and family! Anders, Stephanie, the whole Sylvester-Johnson Family, needs you love, your compassion, today! May you have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a very Happy New Year! God bless you!
Ken Cooper
Organizer
Ken Cooper
Organizer
Cave Spring, VA