Hi, my name is Michele, and I never imagined I’d be writing something like this.

For the past 16 months, I’ve been living in my home without running water. No shower, no washing machine, no sinks, no toilets that flush properly. Just the daily struggle of hauling water, boiling water, and trying to get through each day doing basic tasks most people never have to think twice about.

This happened after a situation with my soon-to-be ex-husband that I had no control over.

Several years ago, he disconnected my original well (which already didn’t work very well) and hooked my home up to Township water using waterlines that ran through a second property we owned next door. I trusted that everything was okay and didn’t know how much I depended on something that wasn’t even connected to my own land.

Fast forward to last year:

When things fell apart between us, every waterline running from that neighboring property was cut, and I suddenly had no water source at all. I have tried everything I can to reconnect, repair, or restart the original well — but after years of not being used, it simply won’t work. Multiple professionals have confirmed that the only remaining option is to dig a completely new well, which I cannot afford.

I’ve been holding on, trying to make ends meet, trying to stay strong, trying to figure out a way forward… but living like this for over a year has taken a huge emotional and physical toll on me. Simple things like cooking, cleaning, or getting ready for the day have become exhausting challenges.

Now I am here, humbly asking for help.

A new well is my only path back to safe, running water and to finally having a normal life again. The cost is overwhelming — especially with me trying to rebuild everything after 25 years on my own and with no support during this entire time.

If you are able to help, in any amount, it would mean more to me than I can ever express. Your support would give me back the basic dignity of having water in my home — something every person should have.

Thank you for reading my story, for caring, and for helping me move toward stability and healing. ❤️