Some of you may have heard the story of Erika of Ivory Hut – she and her family recently lost their home in a horrific fire. This was the first sign I saw of the tragedy on Twitter last Thursday morning:
Our house burned down last night. Barely made it out alive. Homeless, possession-less. But we’re all safe & together. Still richly blessed.
We all hear of tragedies like this, everyday, but this was somehow closer, less random. And I admit, I don’t know Erica. I know people who know her and I’ve seen some of her tweets and an occasional post but that doesn’t matter; I know of her and I have friends that know her personally. And that makes a profound connection that is different from a complete stranger on the evening news; it pulls at your heart strings in a different way.
What I do know from all accounts is what an amazing woman she is and she is going to need every bit of courage, resolve and support possible to weather this storm.
In this environment of Social Media, it is astounding how quickly you learn the intimate details of an event like this. How her son bravely went into their burning home and rescued his elderly grandmother (I know that made me tear up more than anything). Somehow it’s also the more personal details of loss that have affected me. I spent the first day after hearing her story and seeing other bloggers rally to help often just looking at my stuff. A lifetime of stuff. That can be replaced but is still heartbreaking to think of losing. How her husband lost his prosthetic leg and how Erika has lost everything she needs for her professional career as a photographer; her computer, her cameras and her work. My heart breaks for them and my tears have been real.
But I know and you know that it is almost unimaginable to comprehend a loss of this magnitude and the effort being made today to back up the optimism that Erika shows is impressive. Please read Erika’s moving post written the day after the fire. And celebrate with me that through everyone’s tears there is something happening that reminds me of the goodness of humanity when called into action. The astounding number of people that have come forward to help; to make a real difference. Alice of Savory Sweet Life and Maggy of Three Many Cooks have created a blog, Friends of Erika for all of us to rally around Erika and her family. And rally we have done!
While the food blogging community may have initiated this effort; our call to action goes beyond just one community; it is a call to help someone with a larger need. If you read Erika’s story or the stories at Friends of Erika, this is not about providing them with a home…those needs will eventually be covered by insurance. It is about providing hope. Sometimes that is exactly what dollars do, plain and simple.
We are all a part of a blogging and Twitter community where the numbers are huge and the combined efforts of a lot can make a real difference so I would like to ask you to be one of those people. Whether you contribute $5, $10, $25 or more, any amount donated helps to alleviate the financial burden Erika’s family is facing. It is one of those times when it’s so true…every dollar does help. In the matter of just days, thousands of dollars have been contributed to this cause.
My friend Jamie at My Baking Addiction said it so well; I could not improve upon these words:
There are many times in life when you can choose to jump in and help, or stand aside and watch others do it. I’m hoping everyone will choose the latter. I am a true believer that a community is only as good aswhat its members put into it. That being said, I am proud to say I love belonging to a blogging community that spans miles upon miles of geographic separation but will come together with such strength and compassion to help someone they may or may not personally know. It is my hope that you will help spread the word about Erika and her family through your blog, email, social media, etc. because together, we can make a difference.
I have the very same hope and I am sincerely grateful to you for reading this and putting this request onto your heart. You can read more of this story at Friends of Erika and make a contribution there. ALL funds are going directly to Erika and her family.
Thank you…from the bottom of MY heart too.
Barb
Photo by Nate Adams/Montville Patch
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I am proud to be a part of such community, where humanity and life are given the biggest priority. ” Tough time don’t last, but tough people do” I believe in this and I’m sure with support and being there we all can provide some comfort in such hard times.
Now this was an amazing post my friend. Like Mardi, I’m proud to be a part of this community- a family of bloggers who will reach out time and time again to help those in need.
Thank you for posting this. I am so very proud to a be a part of such a caring and outreaching community. As I stated on Under The High Chair’s Blog, in the long days of rebuilding to come for Erika and her family, they need only to click onto posts such as this (and they increase every day) to know that people from all over the world are united in their support of them.
Barb-
It is truly amazing how people in the food community and others have rallied together to assist Erika and her family. My heart fills with warmth each time I see a tweet or blog post about this campaign. Together we are making a difference.
-Jamie
Barb ~ As one of the lucky people who have had to good fortune to know Erika, I thank you for using this site to share her story; I have shed many tears over the past week and I know this recovery process will be long and at times arduous, but I also know Erika’s spirit and she will rise above this tragedy and come out on the other side with an even bigger spirit than she already has. I’m so proud to be a part of this community – I’m jumping in with both feet.
Barb, my heart breaks for Erika and her losses but swells with pride to call myself a part of this awesome community of food bloggers. I am moved at how people have rallied to help Erika. Because it could have been any one of us. I hope everyone follows Jamie and jump in to help out.