Help the Terrells

I'm Julia, and I own and operate a local business in the Hillsborough NC area that tries to get involved with our community, especially during the holiday season. While the holidays being filled with charity work I'm involved in, I'm usually removed from the families we help. That was until I got a phone call on Saturday 12/2/22 from my long-time friend, Candace Terrell.

Candace and I go back over a decade & we share memories like how she met her current husband, Travis, to the surprise of their 3rd baby, and a fair bit in between. Travis holds a steady job, and Candace waitresses to make ends meet. Two of their three children are school-age, and as many parents can attest, the list of school supplies is never-ending. Candace herself has struggled with personal health issues that have weighed on their entire family over the last couple of years, putting that much more of a demand on their bank account. Despite the school demands, her health issues, and the daily struggle of being outnumbered as parents, Candace and Travis have managed to keep a cup-half-full disposition.

With the housing and property market favoring sellers, it was no surprise that the owners of the property Candace and Travis were renting from were planning to sell. They were notified in the beginning of October 2022 with only a few weeks to uproot their family of 5(plus, two dogs). As a mother, I can think of nothing scarier to hear, especially this close to Christmas. With no plan B, and being on such short notice, Candace and Travis had to scramble. Luckily, a relative had an unfinished addition they volunteered for the family to borrow until something more permanent could be arranged. After a massive hustle to pack and move, Travis then began looking into repairing the heat and insulation in the new space to make things a little more accommodating for their family. It was discovered that the propane was not an option but they found an old woodstove that needed parts they thought would work. This is where I get the call.

"Hey, Julia! Do you think you and Rocky could come look at this woodstove? We don't know what to do to make it work but we need heat," she asked. With lows being estimated to be in the 20's as early as Sunday night, my husband and I agreed to come take a look and that's when I saw just how severe the situation was. They hadn't even had a minute to unpack before they had to get to work on the new space to make it work for their kids. I was certain Candace was screaming on the inside but to look at her, she wore a smile. For storage, it was perfect, but not for a family of 5 with boys who need a designated play space, a daughter who needs a place for nap time, a mother who needs a kitchen, and a father who needs a bedroom he can resign to when he needs to unwind it was unacceptable.

We looked at the woodstove and determined that while it was a wonderful restoration project and conversation piece, it's probably not the ideal remedy for the pressing heat problem. While the guys stepped out to further invesitgate the propane issue, Candace and I chatted about other rental options and mortgage options. Finding something to rent on such short notice, within a reasonable distance so Travis and Candace both could get to work, and keep their kids registered at the same school was hard enough but to also find a place that would allow them to keep their beloved family dog who's now a senior is really fishing for a needle in a haystack. As she was sharing with me how things got so upside down, I was moved to tears and that's when I saw a queen who'd been so strong for so long drop her head and I watched as her crown slowly started to slide from her head. I have known her almost all our lives and never have I seen a family go through so much, so fast, and still continue to smile through it all. It's families like the Terrells that I do all the charity work for but it's never once hit so close to home, and I still can't find the words to describe it.

Since their need for a warm, dry, appropriate space is more demanding, I suggested an RV.

(UPDATE 12/9/22) The original short-term goal was to raise money to afford something quickly that allowed the family to keep their pets and meet their needs. However, thanks to the massive outreach from supporters and community networking, the Terrells were able to coordinate something more than an RV. As of 12/8/22, Candace has confirmed that a plan is in action to move the family from their current space to a more appropriate living situation, thanks to the GoFund Me Donors. See "updates" to follow up with details as they are recieved.

My business(Walker Acres Riding Academy) has nominated them for our Helping Hooves Holiday program. We will be taking donations for items like diapers, toiletries, canned food, clothes, and school supplies the family needs since they have found themselves extra low on supplementary finances. I'll post that wish list on my website(www.walkeracreshillsboroughnc.com; every little bit helps. Hopefully, together we can help the Terrels back onto their feet and spread a little of that much needed Christmas cheer to this deserving family.