You helped Jackie when the derecho almost ruined her life

Jackie knew the storm was on the way, but she had no idea how bad it was about to get.

After the sky turned black, she hid in her home with her crying granddaughter and prayed they would make it through.

When the sky cleared after the derecho in May, the challenges were just beginning. Jackie’s family lost power for nearly a week and drained their savings staying in a hotel.

Portrait of grandmother standing with granddaughter against green wall

Because of you, Jackie’s family made it through.

“Catholic Charities really came through for us and I’m grateful for that,” Jackie said.

Jackie needs oxygen and a nebulizer to help her with her asthma and other health issues. After her home lost power, she, her husband Kevin, and their 13-year-old granddaughter had to stay in a hotel.

They expected their hotel stay to last a day or two. Money ran out on Day 4.

You came to the rescue. Because of you, Jackie and her family were able to receive financial assistance that paid for two more days in the hotel and purchased food to replace what had spoiled in their fridge during the power outage.

“Had it not been for Catholic Charities, I don’t know how we would’ve paid for another night in the hotel or gotten food,” Jackie said. “It was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.”