Support Don's Home Repairs Post-Hurricane

Many of you amazing people have asked what you can do or how you can help Don with home repairs and expenses associated with the wrath of Hurricane Helene. With Don's humble agreement, Kent and I have created this GoFundMe page as a platform for you to donate as you would like, anonymously if you prefer.

As most of you know, Kent has been in Tampa for nearly three weeks providing moral support and labor to help Don assess structure damage, cull and discard furniture and belongings, make trips to the hardware store, and strategize home repairs. With much-appreciated help from Bailey & Will the 3 day project to clear yard debris was completed yesterday.

Hurricane Helene filled Don's entire one story home with 2.5-3 feet of salt water. For a few days there was no electricity (and consequently no hot water). Once that was fixed there were 88 degree days without A/C, no refrigerator and no ice to be had. These issues were resolved and they continue to persevere.

Originally, Kent and Don made plans to cut the damaged drywall (12-18" above the water line throughout the entire house) to allow the interior portions of the walls to dry out. That plan became more difficult when they discovered that the walls were not sheetrock, but instead lathe and plaster. As you can imagine, another trip to the hardware store to purchase a proper cutting tool. Upon further demolition, they discovered that the lathe and plaster was constructed from waterproof "greenboard" like you use in shower stalls - yay, less work than originally determined.

Kent and Don continue to cut holes into the walls for inspection and distribution of a mold-mitigating chemical spray, and they've removed all the flooring. Things were looking up until Don discovered damage to the roof yesterday. Now, we wait for the roofer's estimate and for the house to dry out.

Kent will return in January to help Don with wall repair, painting, and flooring. In true Don fashion, he's selecting the most affordable (thanks to Amazon for Lifetime table and chairs) materials and solutions to make his home livable again. He was successful in resurrecting his lawnmower from it's salty grave, but it's a matter of time before it and the refrigerator give up the ghost. In addition to most furnishings being a total loss, Don will need to replace the necessities like the stove and washer and dryer. There are temporary solutions to these needs, and ultimately we are all grateful that he has his home.

We will keep you posted on the progress, and Tracy will post pictures as they become available.

Above all, thank you for your love, kindness, and support!!

11/3/2024 - there's a path way to the front door somewhere here! The three day yard debris clean up that Kent, Don, Bailey and Will completed before Kent came home last week was a God send! On 10/30/2024 Don's backyard neighbor lost a palm tree to a live power line that set the wooden fence between them, and Don's backyard, on fire! No major damage, just more trauma.

Don remains diligent with the task of removing floor adhesive from the subfloor. He was getting on the roof today to take pictures for the roofing company. Kent continues to send packages, provide counsel and shop for replacement appliances.

Kent and Don would like to sincerely thank everyone for the love, support and concern. Thank you for your donations, both here and the cash and checks we've received in the mail.