Debbie Crader, Big Dream, Tiny Home

Hello! This is Debbie. She’s pretty awesome. If you’re reading this, it’s because you too have been touched by her kindness and know for yourself that she’s pretty outstanding. She has an infectious smile and bright eyes that light a room.

We’re reaching out to share her story (without her knowing) because she has a story worth telling.

Recently, Debbie moved out of her comfortable apartment and had to make some difficult decisions about her living situation. She can no longer afford the rent increases along with other bills and demands on her tight budget. She looked at every possible option that would allow her to pay off her credit card debit but more importantly, save for a home of her own.

She has this dream to have her very own space – something that is hers alone.

So, she settled on her decision to move into an unheated 12-foot x 18-foot “room” attached to a converted garage. It allows her 199 square feet and she’s made it her home. It’s got carpet and is painted a bright green but it doesn’t have a kitchen or bathroom. It’s on her daughter’s property and despite many offers to join the family in the house, Debbie is determined to make the space her home rather than impose on her daughter, new husband, and two grandchildren. So, for now, Debbie walks across the property to use the restroom in the house.

While we know she’s determined and will make the best of her situation, we can’t ignore that she has a dream to have a tiny home. We think we can help make her dream a reality because we know amazing people, and together we can do anything.

We’re looking at plans for the tiny home that we’d like to build for her so she can park it anywhere she wants. The money we raise will be used to purchase the plans, building materials, furniture, and fees for subcontracting if needed.

We know it’s a busy time of year and you’ve probably given already so that’s why we’re interested in more than financial support. We’d love anything that you think might help make this dream happen. Have some expertise in building and give good directions? Got some scrap wood that would make a great folding table? Have some skills you want to share? Want to donate some time and work with other amazing people? Make a mean casserole to feed the folks working on the project? It’s all welcome and encouraged. Feel free to offer what you have to give…. ideas, collaboration, hard work, vision, blessings, determination…it’s all appreciated.

We’d like to do our best to keep this on the down low but if for some reason Debbie finds out, so be it! Why not know that an entire community of people have come together to celebrate and make a dream happen?

We all love Debbie – she’s got a heart of gold, patience for days, and gives herself to others, so much that she often forgets about herself.

This is about honoring Debbie, but it’s bigger than that. It’s also about a community coming together with unique resources and gifts that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Thank you for taking time to listen and learn a bit about this amazing lady.

We promise to post updates and pictures of the progress and creation of this dream. At the end of the campaign, we will commemorate every person that donated time, money, blessings and more with a plaque or art piece that will be a permanent part of the tiny home. We’d also love to celebrate the finished tiny home with everyone that made it happen. So, stay tuned for an invite to celebrate Debbie and her new home as well as the community that pulled together to make it happen.

We hope to order the trailer frame by mid-March to get started in April 2018.

With much love and light,

Bill Crader & Heather Klug (son and daughter-in-law)