On the evening of January 5th, Aurora and Theo were driving happily to pick up their two precious children, Willow and Finch, when a chilling phone call from a neighbor stopped them in their tracks. Just minutes after they’d left the house, flames had engulfed their beloved home. By the grace of timing, no one was inside—but their four cherished animal companions were.

Tragically, two of their sweet cats succumbed to the thick smoke before help could reach them. Their loyal dog, Biscuit, and brave little cat, Pumpkin, miraculously pulled through after an hour of emergency oxygen, suffering only minor effects. Yet the heartbreak runs so much deeper: in an instant, this loving family lost nearly everything they owned—the memories woven into every corner, the children’s treasured belongings, and the cozy sanctuary they’d built together.

What began as a two-alarm blaze rapidly grew fiercer, requiring additional crews to battle the flames. The fire marshal later determined an electrical fault in the garage was to blame, leaving at least 80% of the house irreparably damaged. We are forever grateful to the Berks County firefighters and first responders who risked so much that night—their swift courage undoubtedly saved neighboring homes and gave Biscuit and Pumpkin a fighting chance.

Now, the Starling family is facing an unimaginable start to 2026. If you’ve ever met Aurora, Theo, Willow, and Finch, you know how much warmth, resilience, and love they pour into everyone around them—yet the past few years have already asked so much of their hearts. Just days after a joyful holiday season filled with hope for brighter days ahead, they’ve been left with nothing but the clothes on their backs and the aching grief of profound loss.

This fundraiser has been created to wrap our arms around the Starling family and help them begin to rebuild. Every donation, no matter the size, will ease the crushing weight they’re carrying—replacing essentials, securing temporary housing, and giving them space to heal and hold one another close.

Your kindness right now will mean the world to Aurora, Theo, Willow, Finch, Biscuit, and Pumpkin. Thank you for showing this beautiful family that they are not alone.

With heartfelt gratitude, Liora