Help Sonny Metcalf's Family Rebuild After Apartment Fire

Hello, my name is Hoksicala Cante Ma Yuha (Child of my heart) “Sonny” Metcalf. I’ve been blessed with three beautiful children, and alongside my partner of over 10 years, Shania Thompson, we’ve raised our family in the South Minneapolis community—a place we both proudly call home, just as our families did before us.

Our community is more than just a collection of streets and buildings. It’s the heart of our lives, a place where we’ve shared countless memories, and where our children have grown up surrounded by love, support, and the strength that comes from being part of something bigger than ourselves.

But on the evening of August 13th, 2024, everything changed. At about 9:30 pm, as we were returning home from dinner, we noticed smoke billowing from the direction of our apartment. Our hearts sank as we approached 11th Street and saw fire trucks gathered around our building. Desperately, we tried to find a way in, but our path was blocked. Coming around to the back, we were met with the sight no one should ever have to witness—our home, engulfed in flames.

In that moment, my gratitude for having my family safe by my side was overwhelming. Yet, our relief was tempered with the sorrow of knowing our beloved family cat was still inside. The loss of our home and the life we built within those walls is immeasurable, but the loss of our furry companion is a pain that cuts deep.

As we stood there, watching our home consumed by fire, the reality of our situation began to set in. Everything we had worked for, everything we had built, was gone. We are now faced with the daunting task of finding a new place to live, a new start for our family, all while carrying the weight of this loss.

We believe that everything happens for a reason, and we know that our Creator has given us the strength and resilience to overcome even the toughest challenges. But we also know that there is no shame in asking for help when it’s needed, and today, we find ourselves in that position.

We are humbly reaching out to our community, our friends, and even those we have yet to meet, for any support you can offer. Whether it’s financial assistance to help us find a new home, or simply words of encouragement to lift our spirits, we would be deeply grateful.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering helping us rebuild our lives. Your kindness means more to us than words can express.

Thank you.