Written by a family friend:

”In 2017, I received the gift of meeting Brandon and Alaina at a class for foster parents. Although raising nine children, both Brandon and Alaina regularly offered to – and eagerly jumped to – support me. The times they stepped in to help me during the pandemic alone are numerous: Brandon hitched their trailer to their vehicle, dragging it hundreds of miles away to load and transport a playground I purchased for my daughter … and, then, he and two of their children set it up in my yard, while I scrambled around mostly looking useless! 

I cannot imagine who – beyond family – would go to such lengths to help another family in this way, but Brandon and Alaina did and always do, all while still caretaking for their own large family. Each of them will bend over backwards to provide support or gifts during moments of need or of celebration or hardship, all while simultaneously juggling their own childrearing, drop-offs/pick-ups, errands, and medical appointments. 

During a time when the world often feels divisive, it is similarly Brandon and Alaina who have stepped in to (re-)unite us via monthly dinners, bringing people together to share in food and community.

These are each reminders of the love they openly give each of us, without ever expecting anything in return. And, the list could go on endlessly, duplicated across the households of friends, family, community members and others whose lives they touch daily. While I’m certain that we all try to bestow upon them a similar level of care and support, in my case, the only thing I can recall regularly gifting them is a backseat full of empty egg cartons. Albeit humorous, the message is clear: Brandon and Alaina are givers, people who bring warmth, love and community to our neighborhoods. They represent what we all aspire to be – as individuals, as well as in partnership, in family, and in community. 

And, now, it is our turn to recognize their moment of need and offer them our love, care and support in return, as members of their community.

Brandon and Alaina never imagined that a simple mudroom project would uncover major foundation and structural issues throughout their home. Once construction began, the contractor uncovered substantial damage: first story structural supports completely missing, the house shifted off its foundation; extensive black ant infestation that had compromised structural supports, including 3 walls and the entire floor of their dining room; and faulty electrical wiring, including live wires dead ended in walls, creating a risk of fire. What they had thoughtfully planned and budgeted for has grown far beyond what anyone could have anticipated, now totaling 6X their original budget. With 9 children — including one in college and one transitioning into adulthood — the financial strain is considerable and consequential.

Over the past 9 months, they have worked tirelessly to prepare for the unexpected rebuilding of the upstairs. They have carefully saved, sacrificed, and sold many personal belongings to cover expenses but, with every step forward, new and costly issues continued to arise.

Ever eager to support others but – as we all know – also never ones to request and rarely ones to accept support from others, it took much discussion to arrive at this point. They recognize the significant risks they are facing and have agreed for us to reach out to the wider community. This message comes with no expectations – a simple request for any support you might be able to offer to two amazing human beings who have given so much to the children of our community, as well as to all of us. 

Should you be in a position to come together with us to help support Brandon and Alaina, we are inviting members of the community and beyond to join us in helping them navigate and overcome this difficult moment. Whether you are able to offer a small monetary gift, dedicate time and physical labor to the team on site at the house, or give words of encouragement and love to two people who have cared for and supported so many of us, you will be helping reduce their burden and reminding them of the love and care we all feel for them.

When I first inquired about setting up a community support system to help Brandon and Alaina during this difficult time, the response I received from them was something to the effect of “these things happen”; “they’re a part of life”. Yet, we all know someone who faced an extraordinary event – an unexpected medical emergency, for example – when friends, family and community members eagerly rallied around their loved one to raise funds in support. Well, sometimes the emergency is a structural one, in this case a shelter emergency. This is our time to support Brandon and Alaina. As Alaina repeatedly indicated in our exchanges, “it’s our joy to love and care for others”. May it now be our – the community’s – joy to love and care for them too. They deserve it. 

Please join us in any way that you feel you have the capacity to support.

With loving appreciation and warmth from Brandon and Alaina’s community . . .”