ST. LOUIS — A local family displaced by an EF3 tornado that struck their neighborhood in St. Louis is seeking community support to recover from the disaster. Debbie Boukas, a Belleville grandmother, is organizing a GoFundMe fundraiser to help her daughter, her daughter’s partner, and their young son, Banner, who were forced to leave their home due to unsafe living conditions following the storm.
The tornado, which tore through the area recently, left their apartment structurally intact but contaminated with hazardous materials, including debris, asbestos, lead paint, and fiberglass. These conditions pose a particular health risk to Banner, her grandson, who has asthma. The family was fortunate to be at a movie theater when the tornado hit, avoiding physical harm, but they returned to significant damage and disruption.
“We’re starting over,” Boukas said in her fundraiser description. Her daughter, a graduate student in social work with multiple health issues, and her partner, whose workplace was damaged by a ceiling collapse, face challenges in maintaining employment and daily routines. Transportation difficulties and the city’s plan to bulldoze a large portion of the neighborhood add further complications.
The family also has two dogs and a cat, making the search for new housing more complex and costly. Without savings for such an emergency, they are relying on donations to cover moving expenses and secure a safe living environment near Banner’s school to preserve a sense of normalcy.
Boukas emphasized the emotional toll of the disaster, noting that the family “had a home last week. They had a plan. And now, they have to start over somewhere new.”
The fundraiser aims to provide financial assistance and support during this challenging period. Boukas also asked for prayers for the family’s strength, safety, and peace amid the ongoing upheaval.
To access the GoFundMe, click here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/after-the-tornado-please-help-my-daughters-family
