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Catastrophe can strike any one of us at any time, this time it struck Melanie and her children. She has always been there for anyone who needed her help, and now she needs our help. Let's return the favor.
Melanie Avant and her 2 children suffered major flood damage to their home in Austin, TX on October 31, 2013. They and their cats and dog are safe and well, but have lost nearly all of their possessions and are now without a place to call home. A fundraising campaign was launched immediately after the flood to help offset costs of emergency damage mitigation and time off work to deal with everything. It finished strong and the initial goal was met!
Now the needs are becoming clearer: while the flood waters have receded, the bills keep rising. It is time to begin Phase 2. The goal is $10,000 in 10 days.
Monies raised so far have gone towards mitigating the flood damages by paying contractors to demolish and dry out their house from 4 feet down, removing all walls, cabinets, flooring, etc; emergency survival items like coats and shoes; and towards covering their expenses and lost wages while cleaning out their house, throwing away or packing everything (more throwing away than packing).
The next step is to fund a rental home to live in while the house is repaired, which could take upwards of six months. Their house is slated for the watershed buyout program, but nothing will happen there until at least April, leaving them with a mortgage on a home they cannot live in and demands from the mortgage company that repairs be completed. The National Flood Insurance Program managed by FEMA does not cover temporary housing, so it is up to us to provide for their urgent shelter needs.
As my sister, Melanie is always there for me in any way, any time I need her. She selflessly sets herself and her life aside every time someone close to her is in crisis or in need. She donates generously with her time, talent, and passion, supporting local musicians, artists, programs and her church to make this world a better place for us all.
Melanie and her children have now lost their home and their belongings. The $10,000 we raise will cover the cost of renting an apartment for her and her children for 6 months while they wait for repairs to be completed. Let’s stay with them for the long haul and see this through to completion
For those who have already given, thank you. I am asking now for you to search your heart and see if there is more you can do to make a difference here. Please share this with everyone you know. Let’s get creative! Take up an office collection, have a bake sale, we can do this! Melanie needs our help, she has been there so many times for so many people, let’s return the favor now, when it really counts.
With heart full of warmth and gratitude for the beauty of the human spirit,
Brandi Schunk, Melanie’s sister
Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interests of others.
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