When disaster strikes, it often comes without warning. For one Springfield family, a house fire turned their lives upside down in an instant. Amid the chaos and heartbreak, Mary was there to provide compassion, comfort and hope.
Through a program funded by United Way, Mary volunteers with disasters like this regularly. Mary remembers arriving on the scene and seeing the devastation in the family's eyes. Their home was damaged, their belongings gone, and their little boy was heartbroken after losing his favorite stuffed animal in the fire. Wanting to bring a small piece of comfort to an unimaginable moment, Mary brought the little boy a new stuffed animal. It wasn't the same as the one he lost, but it reminded the boy and the family that they were not alone. People cared and were standing by their side.
Family home fires are the number one disaster response across the country, and volunteers like Mary play a vital role in helping families navigate those first difficult hours and days. The immediate assistance they provide, along with financial support and connections to resources, gives families a foundation to begin recovering.
For Mary, volunteering means more than just showing up; it's about being a calm presence in a storm. She often meets families when they are filled with uncertainty and questions. With kindness and guidance, Mary helps them find answers, connect them with resources, and take their first steps toward rebuilding.
The families she serves are deeply grateful.
"We may not be able to replace everything they've lost, but we can help them feel supported and remind them that they are not alone."
Because of dedicated volunteers like Mary, families in crisis are met with love, support, and the resources they need to recover. And thanks to generosity of donors like you to United Way, this work continues to bring light in life's darkest moments.