Community Rallies Around Joanna Family After Devastating House Fire

A devastating fire in the Joanna community on the night of Monday, June 30, has left a family of six without a home. The fire, believed to have started from an electrical issue in the attic, caused significant damage to the Pollard family’s residence. While repairs may be possible in the coming months, the family—Dustin and Kate Pollard and their four children, Harper, Ellison, Sarah Collins, and Jay Bradley—are now in urgent need of temporary housing and financial support.

In response, family friend and neighbor Brandy Koon has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help the Pollards recover from this unexpected tragedy.

“This very sweet family lost their home to an electrical fire in their attic,” Koon wrote in the fundraiser post. “They are without a place to stay for at least two months. At this time, they mostly are in need of a place to rent for a couple of months while their home is being repaired, and anything monetary would be greatly appreciated to assist them in replacing their basic everyday needs and things that were lost.”

The outpouring of support from the community has already begun, but more help is needed. Those wishing to contribute can donate directly through the GoFundMe page or send financial assistance via Venmo to @Katherine-Pollard-5 or Cash App to $dpollard0620.

For those unable to give financially, Koon encourages prayers for the family during this difficult time.

“Their lives were completely turned upside down last night,” she said. “Please keep them in your thoughts.”

As the Pollards face the long road ahead toward recovery and rebuilding, their friends and neighbors are stepping in to remind them—and the broader community—that they are not alone.