Martin Family Housefire

Martin family housefire

On the evening of January 8th, 2017 a family that is near and dear to my heart, came home from running errands and grabbing dinner to find their house engulfed in fire. Luckily they were all together so no people were physically hurt as a result of the fire. Upon discovery of the fire they were able to get their dog Addy out of the house safely, but their cat Sophie unfortunately died in the blaze. The result of the fire and the approximately 4 to 5 hours worth of firefighting activities is that they have lost everything in the house, either through smoke/fire/water damage.

While they will have options for their short term housing needs and insurance to work with for their long term housing needs, they will still need their day to day belongings/necessities accounted for.  I've started this campaign because it seems like the best way we can do something to help Ross, Kate and their two daughters, Lumen (2) and Sunny (6m) regain some sense of normalcy during the upcoming months. They will need clothes and household goods, and diapers and things for both kids that I probably don't even know about because I don't have my own yet.

I don't know how to relay to everyone my feelings for this family but I will do my best. Ross is my best friend. He is truly like a brother to me. He was the best man at my wedding this last fall, he's been my sounding board and advice giver, he's readily shared an untold amount of knowledge with me in the years I have known him. I don't say it, and I should, but he knows I love him and his family.

He and Katie have been there for me whenever I have needed anything. I lived with them for half a year when I first moved back into the state, which is a big deal: sharing your house with another 20something when you are freshly married was an incredibly generous thing to do.  They again let me crash with them for 2 weeks after a particularly tumultous breakup that involved me moving out and having to find a place for myself and my dog on short notice. 

Both he and Kate are incredibly generous, selfless, and warm hearted people. They are both smart, funny, and decent people who treat those around them with respect and consideration. They are raising two beautiful, smart, well mannered girls to be as upstanding as they are. Ross in particular is one of the most engaging people you will ever meet, he can make anyone feel like part of the family and his enthusiam is contagious. The idea that they have to go through this breaks my heart. If I had the means I would replace everything and anything they needed without a second thought, but unfortunately I can not. This campaign is the best I can offer.

For you gamers: some of you may not know Ross as anything other than FREAKISH_DONG, but now you do. There's a man behind the moniker and right now he could use our help.

Thanks for your contribution and attention.

- James / JCPRANGE/ Turkeycurtains

PS: I will post updates and/or pics when and if I can.

I drove by the house after work, I didn't want to be too intrusive as there is cleanup stuff already happening. This pic shows part of the damage:

Pic of inside, second floor collapsed since yesterday.