Help Red Lodge Flood Victims

*This fundraiser is for myself, Kristin Groener, Red Lodge metalsmith (www.gemofgarbageisland.com), my partner Harrison Porter, and our group of friends and co-workers.*

SOUTHERN MONTANA IS EXPERIENCING A STATEWIDE DISASTER DUE TO HISTORIC FLOODING. On June 12th, 2022 our beautiful home of Red Lodge was ravaged by rapid flowing water that came with little to no warning due to fast melting snow in the mountains combined with heavy rainfall. It came so fast that we lost four bridges in under two hours. Our streets have caved in. Cars are stuck in sinkholes. Many have lost their homes.

We are asking for money to help a group of our affected community members, mostly restaurant employees, who are all facing significant uncertainties for the future. Some of us are displaced with nowhere to go, some have lost all belongings, and we are ALL being affected monetarily due to major work disruptions. Our small town survives off of the tourism to Yellowstone National Park, which will be shut down for the summer. That puts the restaurants and employees in danger. One member runs her jewelry business from home and will be entirely out of work until she finds a new place to live. Some of us have children to feed; one couple has a baby on the way and needs a new home. There is a major housing crisis in town with nowhere for us to go.

The funds will be distributed on a needs basis. It will be used for food, gas, replacing essential items, temporary housing, cleanup supplies, and assistance with bills and loss of income. If we have any extra funding, we will direct it to the Carbon County Disaster Relief Fund - The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation

https://www.rlacf.org/donate-2/local-causes/carbon-county-disaster-fund/ 

This disaster happened SO quickly that officials couldn’t evacuate us from our homes. One of us woke up to his couch floating across the room and had to break out of a window to escape the water rushing into his basement apartment. His car is totaled, and he lost all of his belongings.

We are all in a significant state of uncertainty, and the only way we’ll get through this is with help from our community. We have had incredible support from neighbors lending a hand with laying sandbags, carrying out buckets of water, distributing meals, ripping down drywall, and so much more. The financial support will help us navigate the very long road ahead of us. We know it’s a tough time for so many right now, but anything helps and we are incredibly grateful for the support!!!

Please share this wherever you can!!!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!