Lost all in fire. Grateful to be alive!

We are David(59) and Melissa(43) Kidd living in the mountains of Rabun County, Georgia.  On Sunday night, December 17th, we were awakened by the sound of breaking glass. Our home burned to the ground along with every single item we owned after a lifetime of hard work. Additionally, our only vehicle, a 2015

Toyota Tacoma, parked out front was consumed in the incredibly intense fire. We managed to run out of the cabin in pajamas and bare feet along with our sweet old dog Sammy; but not our beloved cat, Cleo. We do not know her fate but pray she miraculously appears. The fire engulfed our humble home instantaneously with thick smoke which scorched our throat, lungs and heat burns to our face. We are so grateful to be alive!

Needless to say, our lives have been devastated and it is very challenging to sort out how to rebuild the most basics of daily life (identity, cell phones for communication, transportation, clothing, housing, prescription glasses, medications - David is an insulin dependent diabetic and requires a CPAP machine at night… the list goes on and on). Neighbors & friends have been incredibly supportive to give us a temporary roof over our heads and loaned us a truck for necessary errands and to be able to get to work.

All monetary gifts will be used solely for our life necessities to include replacing our truck so we can continue to work and slowly rebuild our shattered life. We send our sincerest gratitude for the Lakemont Volunteer Fire Department and all the first responder agencies that contained the fire and helped keep our neighbors safe.