HOMEafterFIREandPROLONGEDrepairs
Donation protected
REINSMA, FAMILY OF 11, NEEDS TO BE IN THEIR HOME ASAP! WINTER IS COMING AND CAMPING IS NO LONGER AN OPTION. LET'S GET THEM HOME BY CHRISTMAS.
Thank you for showing interest in helping the Reinsma family. My name is Jen Van Huis, I am a neighbor and very close friend to the Reinsma's and have spent a lot of time helping with the needs of the family for several months. The Reinsma family stole my heart several years ago with their life story and all the ways they have shown such grace through so many life struggles. And life philosophy of "see a need, fill a need" will not allow me to sleep at night knowing how much this family needs us right now.
Being a very young mom, Breck decided to fulfill her dreams and went to college, became an OB nurse, married her 1st love and father their children, Travis. They went on to have 9 (yes NINE!) children and just last year, Breck completed her Masters degree and is now a Certified Nurse Midwife. Breck and Travis both continued to be very strong in their faith, worked hard and have instilled great values into each one of their amazing children. I think it is very responsible and incredible that Breck chose a profession that she loves, it provides for her family, and it also allows for her to be with her children most of the time. Travis also loves his job with Kent Equipment and often gets to show his kids some of the cool equipment he works with. The kids love it and their Daddy! Simply put, it seem that no matter how hard we work, we are reminded that we are not in control. It is so frustrating to see such bad things happen to people who are continually doing what is right and working as hard as they can.
I told Ella, 10, the oldest daughter, that I wanted to do something that would help their family. I said I wanted to write an essay and she said she would love to help! When I asked Ella what the title of the essay should be she quickly replied "Home for our Family for Christmas." She didn't cry, but I sure did.
On February 7th, 2015 the Reinsma home had a significant kitchen fire, and the smoke, soot, and water damaged the entire home. Initially, it only suppose to take a couple months to repair. With a hopeful move in date of mid summer, the Reinsma's purchased a camper and chose to enjoy the summer camping while the home's repairs were being completed. Since that time, there have been significant delays from contractors and the insurance company. It literally makes my heart hurt to see what this family is being put through.
Currently, all of the insurance funds that were issued to repair the home are being held while some very unpleasant negotiations are taking place between the previous contractor, the insurance company, and the Reinsma family. The repairs to the home are much more significant than originally thought, and the original repair work done to the home was not done in a timely manner and was subpar work that needs to be redone. This has caused many delays and the remaining funds (approximately $60,000) cannot be released until all negotiations are complete. Unfortunately, this may take many many more months; meanwhile the home remains unfinished and the Reinsma family remains in their camper.
I am looking to raise funds to get the family back into their home with, at minimum, temporary occupancy. That means the kitchen, 1 bathroom, and flooring must be complete. Currently the house only has drywall up. Remaining in the project is...
- kitchen cabinets hung
-windows replaced
- all trim and finish carpentry work
- electrical and plumbing
- paint
-flooring and tile work
- bathrooms complete
Believe it or not, the Reinsmas have still had to pay their mortgage throughout this time, even while incurring all of the extra expenses of being out of their home. Having a family of 11 is financially straining enough without the thousands of extra dollars being spent on meeting the family's needs while homeless.
Currently, the family is living in 2 campers. There are no longer any campgrounds close to their home/schools/work that are still open. Breck and Travis moved their campers onto their property and are living in them while daily having to look at their home that no one is able to work on because of the lack of funds. It is of upmost importance that they are able to be in their home before Michigan winter hits. Campers are not designed to withstand those type of freezing conditions. The insurance company has refused to pay for any type of housing because there is a limit to the amount of housing funds provided. The family stayed in a hotel for 4 months until camping season started and the time in the hotel took most of the housing funds available (a hotel for 11 people certainly isn't cheap). The challenges of living in campers are numerous, but as the weather has turned cold the challenges have multiplied. Imagine only having one bathroom in a camper for that many people! The shower is limited to 6 gallons of hot water. A septic company comes to empty the septic tanks ($90 each time) and Lucas (2) thinks that the "poop truck" is the coolest thing ever :-)
It is so awesome to see all of the ways that people of worked to try and make things run as smoothly as possible. At this point, 10 months since losing their home, the Reinsma's are really not wanting to have to send out a request for assistance, but I explained that God sends people to help as Angels on earth. People have a heart to help, and everyone can help in a different way. Sometimes we just have to say, "Okay, I really need some help." There is no shame in asking for help, especially for very hard working people who, themselves, have helped so many in need in as well. My heart's desire is for the Reinsma's to see how many people care and are willing to be there for them and "bridge the gap" in their time of need.
Please be a blessing to this family and pray for resolve that will get this process moving in the right direction, and please help me with Ella's only request on her Christmas list, "I just want to sleep on a normal bed on Christmas night."
Thank you again and God Bless,
Sincerely,
Jen
Thank you for showing interest in helping the Reinsma family. My name is Jen Van Huis, I am a neighbor and very close friend to the Reinsma's and have spent a lot of time helping with the needs of the family for several months. The Reinsma family stole my heart several years ago with their life story and all the ways they have shown such grace through so many life struggles. And life philosophy of "see a need, fill a need" will not allow me to sleep at night knowing how much this family needs us right now.
Being a very young mom, Breck decided to fulfill her dreams and went to college, became an OB nurse, married her 1st love and father their children, Travis. They went on to have 9 (yes NINE!) children and just last year, Breck completed her Masters degree and is now a Certified Nurse Midwife. Breck and Travis both continued to be very strong in their faith, worked hard and have instilled great values into each one of their amazing children. I think it is very responsible and incredible that Breck chose a profession that she loves, it provides for her family, and it also allows for her to be with her children most of the time. Travis also loves his job with Kent Equipment and often gets to show his kids some of the cool equipment he works with. The kids love it and their Daddy! Simply put, it seem that no matter how hard we work, we are reminded that we are not in control. It is so frustrating to see such bad things happen to people who are continually doing what is right and working as hard as they can.
I told Ella, 10, the oldest daughter, that I wanted to do something that would help their family. I said I wanted to write an essay and she said she would love to help! When I asked Ella what the title of the essay should be she quickly replied "Home for our Family for Christmas." She didn't cry, but I sure did.
On February 7th, 2015 the Reinsma home had a significant kitchen fire, and the smoke, soot, and water damaged the entire home. Initially, it only suppose to take a couple months to repair. With a hopeful move in date of mid summer, the Reinsma's purchased a camper and chose to enjoy the summer camping while the home's repairs were being completed. Since that time, there have been significant delays from contractors and the insurance company. It literally makes my heart hurt to see what this family is being put through.
Currently, all of the insurance funds that were issued to repair the home are being held while some very unpleasant negotiations are taking place between the previous contractor, the insurance company, and the Reinsma family. The repairs to the home are much more significant than originally thought, and the original repair work done to the home was not done in a timely manner and was subpar work that needs to be redone. This has caused many delays and the remaining funds (approximately $60,000) cannot be released until all negotiations are complete. Unfortunately, this may take many many more months; meanwhile the home remains unfinished and the Reinsma family remains in their camper.
I am looking to raise funds to get the family back into their home with, at minimum, temporary occupancy. That means the kitchen, 1 bathroom, and flooring must be complete. Currently the house only has drywall up. Remaining in the project is...
- kitchen cabinets hung
-windows replaced
- all trim and finish carpentry work
- electrical and plumbing
- paint
-flooring and tile work
- bathrooms complete
Believe it or not, the Reinsmas have still had to pay their mortgage throughout this time, even while incurring all of the extra expenses of being out of their home. Having a family of 11 is financially straining enough without the thousands of extra dollars being spent on meeting the family's needs while homeless.
Currently, the family is living in 2 campers. There are no longer any campgrounds close to their home/schools/work that are still open. Breck and Travis moved their campers onto their property and are living in them while daily having to look at their home that no one is able to work on because of the lack of funds. It is of upmost importance that they are able to be in their home before Michigan winter hits. Campers are not designed to withstand those type of freezing conditions. The insurance company has refused to pay for any type of housing because there is a limit to the amount of housing funds provided. The family stayed in a hotel for 4 months until camping season started and the time in the hotel took most of the housing funds available (a hotel for 11 people certainly isn't cheap). The challenges of living in campers are numerous, but as the weather has turned cold the challenges have multiplied. Imagine only having one bathroom in a camper for that many people! The shower is limited to 6 gallons of hot water. A septic company comes to empty the septic tanks ($90 each time) and Lucas (2) thinks that the "poop truck" is the coolest thing ever :-)
It is so awesome to see all of the ways that people of worked to try and make things run as smoothly as possible. At this point, 10 months since losing their home, the Reinsma's are really not wanting to have to send out a request for assistance, but I explained that God sends people to help as Angels on earth. People have a heart to help, and everyone can help in a different way. Sometimes we just have to say, "Okay, I really need some help." There is no shame in asking for help, especially for very hard working people who, themselves, have helped so many in need in as well. My heart's desire is for the Reinsma's to see how many people care and are willing to be there for them and "bridge the gap" in their time of need.
Please be a blessing to this family and pray for resolve that will get this process moving in the right direction, and please help me with Ella's only request on her Christmas list, "I just want to sleep on a normal bed on Christmas night."
Thank you again and God Bless,
Sincerely,
Jen
Organizer and beneficiary
Jen Van Huis
Organizer
Hudsonville, MI
Breck Reinsma
Beneficiary