Gillespie Family Benefit

Life has been a nightmare for my sister Jodi and her family the last 2 months, and they are in need of help!

Lafe, Jodi and their 6 (now 7) kids have been homeless since December 2 when the plastic factory just north of their house caught fire. For over 24 hours their home was engulfed with toxic smoke from the burning ABS plastic within the building. Whithin 15 min of noticing the building was on fire they evacuated their home. They left with only the clothes on their back and a few sentimental items. When they left they had no idea that they wouldn't be able to return once the fire was put out.

They have been living in a hotel going on 6 weeks now since the fire, waiting for their house and belongings to be cleaned and made safe so they can return (it was only suppose to take 1.5-2 weeks to complete). It is still unclear if their home will ever be safe, they are waiting for further testing.

Even though the fire was not their fault at all, the clean up and hotel expenses are all on them and their homeowners insurance.

As if being homeless wasn’t nightmare enough, on January 1st Jodi started leaking amniotic fluid, she was only 29 weeks pregnant and due March 15th. Baby was not doing well, so she was airlifted to a hospital 4 hours away from home, 

48 hours later Jodi started bleeding and baby was in distress, she was taken in for an emergency C-Section. Katherine Marie was born on January 3rd at 29 weeks 6 days gestation weighing 3lb. 13oz. and was 16 in. long. Thank God she is doing well!!!!

Jodi will be in the hospital with baby for another 4-6 weeks as Katherine continues to develop enough to survive at home. Lafe is taking care of their 6 kids, trying to work and take care of Jodi's duties too.

Lafe and Jodi are both self employed... Between being displaced from their home, Jodi being 4 hours away with baby and Lafe going back and forth, these tragedies have hit them very hard financially. Even though they have insurance, there are still plenty of other expenses and bills are piling up.