FEMA appeal help

Hi, I am Sherry’s sister Judy. She needs our help to help Maui survivors with FEMA issues.

A few days ago Sherry sent me a text message letting me know she was on Maui. She hasn’t posted anything on Facebook about where she is or what she is doing, because she is a proud humble woman. She feels drawing attention to what she is doing somehow takes something away from the intent of her service.

In any event, here is what she sent me:

“Here’s the thing. None of us realizes how fragile our world is and how susceptible to disaster we are. We are all part of the human family. What happens to one, happens to all.

Disaster hits at the singular individual level with an unimaginable magnitude. When it does, as Richard Powers wrote in Overstory, “there are consolations the strongest human love is powerless to give.” It is then our presence, an extended hand, a long hug, our energy, shared resources and our particular skills are all we have to humbly offer.

I will never forget watching the monster smoke and fire advancing on the town of Lahaina. The burned out cars on Front Street. The survivor stories of barely escaping. The ashes of a town.

More than 2,200 homes, apartment buildings, and other structures were damaged or destroyed. Those residents and businesses left with nothing. Before the fire, Lahaina was home to 13,361 people.

My great-great grandparents immigrated to Hawaii, establishing themselves on Oahu. They are buried on the Island. I went to kindergarten on Oahu. My childhood memories are carried on trade winds, under coconut trees and in the taste of warm malasadas.

Kauai loved me with its heart shaped rocks and lush landscape. Mothered me through a very rough time in 2022.

When Lahaina was devoured by a wall of fire, Maui wept. Maui wailed. Maui called to me.

I answered.

This is how I came to be here. Packing my 30 years of legal experience as a retired lawyer/administrative law judge in my carry on, I arrived on September 6. Here to help Lahaina survivors with FEMA—making sure they apply and follow up with the appeal process. For free.

In one reported study of FEMA, about 80% of initial applications are denied. Only about 4% appeal. That is a phenomenal disparity. Especially since FEMA provides valuable temporary, long term rental assistance for up to 18 months and money for additional needs.

Applicants have 60 days to apply for FEMA. If FEMA denies the application, an appeal has to be filed in 60 days. FEMA provides assistance up to 18 months. As long as FEMA is providing assistance, there is a need to appeal decisions.

When everything is lost, every dime to rebuild a life is needed.

In addition to rental assistance, FEMA may provide up to $41,000 to renters needing personal property and other needs assistance. Additionally, homeowners who have losses not covered by insurance may receive up to $41,000 to rebuild their home.

It is hard to fathom the impact that has on an individual whose whole past burned in the fire, who saw or knew neighbors consumed in the flames, who are holding shock and grief as hot stones in each hand. Applying for help, documenting need, can be a full-time job.

I am making connections between survivors and the agencies needing their help. So far my outreach has been word of mouth. I have been meeting with agencies and community leaders reaching out to people needing what I offer. I am here to help Lahaina survivors with FEMA—making sure they apply and follow up with the appeal process.

I am not a foundation. I am not wealthy. And with that I do not know how much longer I can stay here. At least until October 3.”

I talked to my sister after getting her text message, and she will stay longer, but she needs help and Maui Fire survivors need your help allowing her to continue what she is doing—thus this attempt raise money to stay where she feels she is needed right now.

Sherry needs a place to stay for as long as she can be useful. Nothing fancy, just a place to sleep and shower. And a car that will get her from point a to point b. A basic room is around $1,400 to $1,800 a month. Car rental from a local agency is about $220 a week. That’s about $2,600 a month.

Any amount you can give will make a significant impact for those families she is able to reach and help. And if you can spread the word through email and sharing on Facebook or other platforms that would be awesome. The longer she can stay, the more people she can reach and help.

Help her help Lahaina survivors.

Anything you donate in excess of what she needs to meet her basic daily needs will be donated to individuals in the Lahaina community.

Many hands make the load lighter.