At 3 AM Saturday on February 18 Aliza was awakened by her dog, Zeke’s, frantic barking. She rushed to the window and was met with a terrifying sight: their barn was engulfed in flames. She quickly called 911 the worked desperately alongside Simon to save their trapped sheep and to prevent the fire from spreading to their family home. Grabbing a garden hose, Simon soaked the roof and exposed side of their nearby garage, a heroic effort that would ultimately protect it from the blaze.

Aliza did what she could to save as many sheep as possible – a dire task fraught with danger.

Tragically, 31 of their 75 sheep perished in the blaze. A neighbor, witnessing the chaos, quickly brought over a cattle trailer to rescue the surviving sheep, transporting them to a nearby farm.

Firefighters from four neighboring districts responded and were eventually able to put the fire out, but the structure was a total loss, along with essential and expensive farming equipment.

By noon the following day, the community had rallied around Simon and Aliza. Friends and family arrived to help with cleanup efforts, bringing food and support as they all processed the shock of the night before. Aliza and Simon were grateful for the outpouring of love and assistance, even as they faced the daunting task of rebuilding.

In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Aliza expressed their gratitude, stating that while the barn was just a building, it represented so much more. It was a space filled with memories, laughter, and the rhythms of their family’s life. The loss felt immense, yet they found solace in the community that surrounded them, ready to help in any way possible.

As the days went on, it became clear that this disaster had not only brought loss but also a powerful reminder of the strength of community. Local volunteers, skilled in carpentry and plumbing, offered their services for the rebuild, and support poured in from the agricultural community across Maine. Simon and Aliza reassured everyone that while they grieved for their sheep and the barn, they were safe, and that was what mattered most.

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The reason for this fundraising effort is that despite having proper insurance, their carrier (of course) found a reason to completely deny the claim . Because Peak Prosperity is a community and because this barn fire has placed a significant financial burden on the Alexander family, we are organizing this Give Send Go campaign on their behalf. .

At this year’s Annual Summit, we were reminded by Simon and Alexander what it means to be a strong community as they described their decision process to buy and operate the Exeter General Store. Why did they add this considerable extra load on their lives? Because, they explained, it was the right thing to do for their community. As one attending member told us:

“Simon and Aliza are the epitome of what this community strives to be.”

Aliza and Simon’s journey has been a testament to resilience, and their story gives inspiration to us all as they demonstrate the compassion and unity that can flourish even in the face of adversity; skills we will all no doubt need to exercise in the coming times.

This is a moment where we can all ‘pay it forward.’