What would you do if all of the possessions you had looked like this? Where would you go if your house burned to the ground in less than the time is takes to run to the store for a gallon of milk? And what if this was NOT the worst thing that ever happened to you?
To the Berg Family, Loydene, PJ and Whitney, these are not hypothetical questions. On September 4, 2012, while Loydene and her son PJ were at a therapy session, Loydene received a call from a neighbor saying her house was on fire. “Get my dog out!”was the only thing she could think to say. Only minutes later her neighbor called again. “I'm so sorry. We couldn't get the dog and your house is gone.” To make matters even worse, a new insurance policy was on hold until some repairs were made to the roof. No policy, no coverage.
Back to the therapy session. It takes a long time to recover from a tragedy that takes away a treasured husband and father. In April of 2000, after celebrating PJ’s birthday, Peter was shot and killed in a restaurant parking lot, in front of Whitney, in a moment of drug infused violence. Twelve years later, the family continues to mend, with the help of healing professionals. In an ironic twist, the first tragedy took Loydene and PJ out of the house on the day fire started. If they had not kept that appointment, this story may have been far, far more tragic.
Are you putting yourself in their shoes? You are bitter, right? Despondent? Ready to give up? Well, that is not their style. Even though Loydene and PJ only had the shoes they were wearing at the time left, they are already looking forward, moving forward. Whitney, who recently finished moving her belongings from her childhood house to her own place, is looking forward, too. She helps her mother and brother when simple decisions are impossible to make. She laughs with them, cries with them and takes charge.
No insurance means no money for the house, no money for possessions, no money for demolition, no money for cleanup. The community of Mountain Green, Utah has rallied to help. Many have brought in heavy equipment to help with demolition. Many more have been at the site sifting through tons of debris to try to find Loydene and Peter’s wedding bands. In another amazing twist, photos and Peter’s Scripture book were found unburned. Hope remains high that the rings will be found. Are you feeling it? There is something very special about this family.
Want to help? Who wouldn’t? We have set a goal to raise $300,000 for building a new home. We need 3000 people to donate $100 to make that goal. Can you spare $100? Are you like me? I can spend more than $100 when I take my kids and their families out to dinner. I can spend $100 on a new electronic gadget without the blink of an eye. We are hoping that 3000 people like me will feel compelled to give up one family dinner, one gadget, one pair of shoes and contribute to this well-deserving family. We think it can be done.
Every person who donates becomes a member of the 3000 Club. Can’t afford $100? How about finding 2, 3 or 4 friends to contribute with you? We can do this together to help Loydene, PJ and Whitney.
Because they need to continue to heal.
From the worst thing that ever happened to them.
Regards,
Laura Grzymkowski, a family friend
To the Berg Family, Loydene, PJ and Whitney, these are not hypothetical questions. On September 4, 2012, while Loydene and her son PJ were at a therapy session, Loydene received a call from a neighbor saying her house was on fire. “Get my dog out!”was the only thing she could think to say. Only minutes later her neighbor called again. “I'm so sorry. We couldn't get the dog and your house is gone.” To make matters even worse, a new insurance policy was on hold until some repairs were made to the roof. No policy, no coverage.
Back to the therapy session. It takes a long time to recover from a tragedy that takes away a treasured husband and father. In April of 2000, after celebrating PJ’s birthday, Peter was shot and killed in a restaurant parking lot, in front of Whitney, in a moment of drug infused violence. Twelve years later, the family continues to mend, with the help of healing professionals. In an ironic twist, the first tragedy took Loydene and PJ out of the house on the day fire started. If they had not kept that appointment, this story may have been far, far more tragic.
Are you putting yourself in their shoes? You are bitter, right? Despondent? Ready to give up? Well, that is not their style. Even though Loydene and PJ only had the shoes they were wearing at the time left, they are already looking forward, moving forward. Whitney, who recently finished moving her belongings from her childhood house to her own place, is looking forward, too. She helps her mother and brother when simple decisions are impossible to make. She laughs with them, cries with them and takes charge.
No insurance means no money for the house, no money for possessions, no money for demolition, no money for cleanup. The community of Mountain Green, Utah has rallied to help. Many have brought in heavy equipment to help with demolition. Many more have been at the site sifting through tons of debris to try to find Loydene and Peter’s wedding bands. In another amazing twist, photos and Peter’s Scripture book were found unburned. Hope remains high that the rings will be found. Are you feeling it? There is something very special about this family.
Want to help? Who wouldn’t? We have set a goal to raise $300,000 for building a new home. We need 3000 people to donate $100 to make that goal. Can you spare $100? Are you like me? I can spend more than $100 when I take my kids and their families out to dinner. I can spend $100 on a new electronic gadget without the blink of an eye. We are hoping that 3000 people like me will feel compelled to give up one family dinner, one gadget, one pair of shoes and contribute to this well-deserving family. We think it can be done.
Every person who donates becomes a member of the 3000 Club. Can’t afford $100? How about finding 2, 3 or 4 friends to contribute with you? We can do this together to help Loydene, PJ and Whitney.
Because they need to continue to heal.
From the worst thing that ever happened to them.
Regards,
Laura Grzymkowski, a family friend