Help Kara and Layla Rebuild After Tragic House Fire
On October 30, 2024, Kara Schelb and her 17-year-old daughter, Layla, lost everything.
A devastating fire destroyed their rental home—Kara’s childhood home—leaving them with nothing but the clothes on their backs and the love of their community.
Tragically, their beloved dog, Cujo, and chinchilla, Dewy, were lost in the fire. Left with no insurance payout and nowhere to go, Kara and Layla are faced with a crisis few have ever fathomed.
About Kara and Layla
Kara, 39, is a hardworking lab technician at UPMC Williamsport, balancing her career while studying to become a histotechnician. As the primary provider for her family, she supports her daughter, Layla, who has multiple health conditions requiring specialized care. Despite their struggles, Kara remains determined to create a stable, hopeful future for Layla, who dreams of becoming a teacher or child therapist.
In Kara’s words, “I never wanted anything like this to happen to Layla or me, but maybe this is what we needed to have a fresh start.” Your generosity can help turn that hope into reality.
How Your Gift Will Help
We’re aiming to raise $25,000 by Christmas to support Kara and Layla with the following essentials:
Temporary Housing – Safe, stable housing while they work toward rebuilding their lives.
Essential Replacements – New textbooks, clothing, and everyday items lost in the fire.
Medical Expenses – Out-of-pocket costs that Kara faces after losing Medicaid coverage and Layla’s ongoing medical care.
Your support means more than just financial relief—it’s a lifeline, offering Kara and Layla hope, stability, and a chance to start again. Every dollar helps them take one step closer to security and peace of mind.
let’s work together to help Kara & layla with their fresh start!
Rebuilding Hope for Kara and Layla
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$25-$99
Warmth and comfort items. This donation allows you to help Kara & Layla with small but essential items like blankets, pillows, or cozy pajamas.
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$100-$499
Meals and grocery support. This donation ensures that Kara and Layla have access to healthy, nutritious food. It will cover Layla’s specific gluten-free needs, protein bars, and other healthy snacks, giving them energy and a sense of routine as they recover and rebuild. Cleaning supplies & protective equipment for fire clean up: thick gloves, masks and respirators, eye protection. Special cleaners, wire and plastic/soft brushes, clothes, buckets, sponges. Ongoing counseling and a gym membership for Layla, who is coping with the aftermath of the fire and losing their family pets.
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$500 - $999
Clothing and work essentials. This contribution helps replace essential clothing items for Kara and Layla, including Kara’s work scrubs, seasonal outerwear, shoes, and everyday wear. This level of support is especially helpful for preparing them to face winter and work/school life comfortably and confidently.
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$1,000 - $1,500
Technology and school support. Assist in replacing Kara and Layla’s damaged electronics. This donation can go toward a new laptop, a TV, or other essentials like a microwave or storage totes. A laptop would especially help Kara as she pursues her histotechnician certification and enable Layla to keep up with her studies and music passions. Your support would help them reconnect to their school, work, and friends.
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$1,501 - $2,000
Home essentials and comfort kit. Provide essential furniture and household items to make their temporary home feel like a real home. This gift level can help cover furniture like couches, tables, and chairs, as well as cooking supplies, laundry essentials, and other household goods. Kara and Layla also lost sentimental items, like a hope. chest that was passed down through generations for their family. You can support professional restoration of sentimental items that were badly damaged. This fund includes specialty cleaning supplies like Fire Wash to help restore sentimental items salvaged from the fire.
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>$2,000
Home stability fund. Help Kara and Layla find a secure place to call home for the next six months. This gift will go toward rent and immediate housing needs, allowing Kara to focus on her work and Layla to finish her senior year without the stress of finding stable shelter. Kara previously lived in her childhood home, owned by her mother, which provided stability while she saved for a house of their own. Renting a new apartment sets their plan to purchase a home back. Your support here will give them peace of mind, enabling them to take this crucial first step toward rebuilding.
Make a Difference Today
Please consider making a gift to help Kara and Layla rebuild their lives.
Together, we can show them they are not alone and give them the support they need to heal and rebuild.