WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — As we head into the holiday season, a mother and daughter from Lycoming County aren't longing for presents under the tree.
Instead, they are hoping for a fresh start.
In October, Kara Schelb and Layla Strickland's lives changed forever when a fire damaged their home along Newberry Street in Williamsport.
Schelb was renting the home from her mother and was saving up to buy a place of her own. Now, the community is coming together to raise money for them.
"We've just seen Kara and Layla, you know, be such amazing people in the community and work so hard to, you know, take care of other people when they've been in need. And so that's why we want to help Kara and Layla rebuild their lives," said Veronica Adamas, 25k by Christmas organizer.
Schelb and Strickland lost everything in the fire, including a dog and a pet chinchilla.
"She has a hope chest that's been passed down through her family for generations, and that's one of the items that we're hoping we can use part of the funds to help salvage and reclaim some of that memory that was lost. So she has a few photographs left, family photos," said Adams.
The 25k by Christmas fundraiser started November 4th. So far, the community has raised $13,000.
"This group of people who Kara has helped throughout their lives and have been there for she they all came together and were like, we are going to contribute this $5,000 and match up to $5,000 anybody who donates. So that's what got us above our $13,000 goal in just a couple of days," said Adams.
Veronica Adams is organizing the effort. She says Schelb and Strickland are feeling more secure knowing their friends and family are coming together to support them.
"Like, where am I gonna put the stuff that's fire damaged, that could be cleaned, but I can't keep it in my house, you know, like, that kind of stuff. There's so much that you have to deal with that i think the average person doesn't realize. And i think to have this is such a relief to them," said Adams.
Crews in Williamsport say the fire was accidental. For more information on how to help, click here.