On August 23, our lives changed in a matter of hours.
A fire swept through our home and workspace, destroying much of our living space and many of the ordinary things that made up daily life. We are still sorting through what survived, what can be salvaged, and what is simply gone.
Then came another difficult realization: there is no homeowners or property insurance available to replace what was lost.
We are enormously grateful that our family is here. Things can be replaced. People cannot. And we have already been blessed by people who have prayed, provided necessities, offered help, and simply stood beside us as we figure out what comes next.
But something has changed since we first started this fundraiser.
The idea became bigger than the fire
At first, we were looking for the most practical way to restore living and working space while we rebuild. A used motorhome seemed to solve several problems at once: private workspace, basic living facilities, climate control, emergency power, and mobility.
But this wasn't an entirely new idea.
Before the fire, we had already been asking how we could bring professional and community services closer to people in the rural communities around us.
In Southwest Colorado, a service can technically be “available” and still be very difficult to access. Distance, transportation, weather, work schedules, family responsibilities, unreliable internet, lack of privacy, and other barriers can make traditional office-based services difficult to reach. Telehealth helps some people, but it does not solve every problem.
That led to a simple question:
Instead of always requiring people to come to the service, what if sometimes we brought the service to them?
That idea now has a name:
The Longhaul
The Longhaul is our plan for a mobile community-service platform: a private, climate-controlled, independently powered professional space that can travel where it is needed.
The first services will grow from work we already do. Through Dirt ’N’ Nails Farms, Inc. and Rohi Therapy, the unit can support counseling, family services, small groups, youth programming, and community outreach. Legal clinics and consultations can also be offered in partnership with Whole Family Legal.
As the model is proven, our hope is to make The Longhaul useful to other nonprofit and community partners as well.
One day it might provide counseling closer to a rural family. Another day it could support a legal clinic, youth or family program, community outreach event, resource navigation, or small-group meeting. During a future emergency or disaster, a mobile unit with power, connectivity, shelter, and professional space could become useful in ways we cannot predict today.
The fire made the need urgent. It didn't create the need.
We're looking for the right solution, not a particular RV
When this campaign began, we expected to purchase a used motorhome.
A motorhome remains an attractive option because much of what we need—power, heating and cooling, plumbing, a bathroom, storage, workspace, and limited overnight capability for remote deployments—is already built into it.
But we are no longer committed to one particular kind of vehicle.
The Longhaul could begin with a carefully selected used motorhome, a purpose-built mobile office or clinic, an appropriately equipped van, an already-converted shuttle, or another reliable mobile platform.
What matters is not owning an RV.
What matters is putting a safe, private, reliable mobile professional space into service for the lowest responsible cost.
Why is the goal still $60,000?
$60,000 is a project ceiling, not a shopping budget for an RV.
It represents what it could take to acquire and put a capable mobile unit fully into service: vehicle acquisition, professional inspection, taxes and registration, insurance, necessary repairs and maintenance, tires or batteries where needed, independent power, climate control, connectivity, privacy and acoustic improvements, secure furnishings and storage, and other basic equipment.
But crowdfunding is not expected to carry that entire amount.
We are building The Longhaul from several directions.
Alongside the generosity already shown here, we are pursuing foundation and community grants, nonprofit partnerships, dealer assistance, donated or discounted vehicles and equipment, in-kind support, and other funding opportunities.
Every dollar or piece of equipment secured somewhere else reduces what we need to raise here.
If a donated vehicle appears, the project changes.
If a dealer offers a substantial discount, the project changes.
If grant funding covers part of the acquisition or buildout, the project changes.
And if we find the right reliable solution for substantially less than $60,000, we will spend substantially less.
Our objective isn't to spend $60,000.
Our objective is to get The Longhaul into service.
You can help without giving money
We know not everyone can contribute financially, and we don't want anyone giving beyond what they can reasonably afford.
There are many other ways to help.
Share this campaign with someone who hasn't seen it. Introduce us to a foundation, church, business, nonprofit, dealer, RV owner, mechanic, or community organization that might want to participate.
We are particularly interested in leads on suitable used or donated vehicles, dealer assistance, mechanical or RV expertise, generators and independent-power equipment, connectivity equipment, furnishings, storage, and other resources that could reduce the cost of getting The Longhaul on the road.
And we continue to welcome your prayers.
Our faith does not mean we expect this road to be easy. It means we believe we do not walk it alone.
From recovery to service
When this fundraiser began, we thought we were trying to solve an immediate problem created by a fire.
We still have that problem.
But as we've worked through it, we've realized that the solution could address a much older problem facing the rural communities around us.
So we are going to try to build something useful from what happened.
First, a mobile base to rebuild from. Then, a mobile base from which to serve. And ultimately, a community resource that can go where it is needed.
Thank you to everyone who has given, shared, helped, prayed, offered advice, or connected us with resources.
Thank you for helping us build The Longhaul.
