Erika from Ivory Hut
“Our house burned down last night. Barely made it out alive. Homeless, possession-less. But we’re all safe & together. Still richly blessed.” – @IvoryHut
Many of you know Erika from the beautiful blog, Ivory Hut. Most of you have probably heard that the night before last, Erika’s home burned to the ground. Thankfully, her family was able to make it out alive, but they lost absolutely everything. Can you imagine, standing in front of your home, watching the flames and smoke take over and seeing your home and all of your possessions disintegrate into the air?
Wendy from the blog Wenderly, Erika’s mom and Erika at the Big Summer Potluck
I had the chance to spend some time with Erika during my recent trip to New York as she was part of the Big Summer Potluck event. She is one of the most genuine, authentic, humble and beautiful people you will meet. Friends, remember that big blog post about community I wrote this week? Now is our time to prove that we really are a family of bloggers and it is truly time to rally around one of our own.
A website has been created to accept donations for Erika and her family so they can get back on their feet. Please take a moment to head over to the website and consider donating. Even a $5 donation will help…skip that latte this morning, log in to pay pal, and give.
If you aren’t able to donate, which is completely understandable, stop by Erika’s blog, read her moving account of that night. Leave her a note of encouragement, letting her know that her blogging family is behind her, supporting her 100% of the way as she rebuilds from this terrible tragedy.
can’t imagine how many irreplaceable things were lost. tragic.
Made my donations! This community is so incredible!
Great post; thanks for helping spread the word.
I made a donation last night and it’s exciting to see the funds come in!
Thank you for this wonderful post, Kristen. Erika is one of the most wonderful people I have ever met and I think we all just want her to know how much we love her! This blogging community continues to amaze me. Daily. Thanks again for your support!
This brings me to tears! On my way to make a donation. Thank for sharing.
I love how much you care for other people Kristen – thanks for passing on this news!
I’ve made a donation that hurts a bit…but then I’m sitting in my home, with a cup of coffee, my laptop and my years of possessions still intact. Now really is the time to live that sense of community and have everyone help. $5 might not seem like much…but many times over and it will start to create a fund that can offer some solace to this family that have been hit with a tragedy most of us will never have to remotely consider, it’s that rare.
This is a time when we can all be thankful for our blogs and Twitter and how it is even possible to touch so many people in an effort to help this one friend and her family.
It’s so touching to see bloggers rally around one of our own in a time of need. This is exactly what blogging is about. Your previous post helped me realize this too. I’m really glad I can be a part of this blogging world.
Thanks for spreading the word about Erika!
Great job Kristen! Beautiful post about a beautiful person. Hand and hand we will all encircle Erika in her time of need. That’s just what “we folk” do! I’m so honored to be among such incredible people that make up this blogging community!
Omygosh how horrible.
Thank you Kristin for all you do in the food community and getting the word out about Erika.
Actually, yes I can imagine how she feels. It happened to me 17 years ago while pregnant with my 4th child. Thanks for the info! I’ll head over there now.
I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Erika, but I am so grateful that she and her family made it safely out. I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and we know how it is to have your life changed and lose everything you own in a blink of an eye. I donated and spreading the word! God bless.
Oh no! I can honestly not imagine. It would be devastating. How fortunate that they all are safe. Thanks for letting us know.
I don’t know Erika and I didn’t know about her blog until I read this post. Thanks for sharing this with us. We’d like to do what we can to help.
I’m off to her blog and to donate….thanks for alerting us, Kristin!
Thanks for letting us know. What a horrible situation! Off to donate now.