More Than a Home
At 70 years old, Mrs. Janie Duke had already weathered more storms in life than most. After losing her husband several years ago, her RV had become her safe haven, a place where she and her beloved dog, Peaches, found comfort, routine, and companionship.
But everything changed on July 4, 2025, when flood waters engulfed her Texas Hill Country community. The RV she depended on was destroyed, leaving her physically displaced, emotionally shaken, and spiritually overwhelmed. She describes those first days as some of the hardest she’s ever faced, feeling vulnerable and unsure of what the future would hold for her and Peaches.
Losing the RV uprooted every part of her life. Her familiar routines were gone, replaced by a loss of stability and the challenge of navigating life without a place to call her own. For someone living alone with only her dog for company, the uncertainty felt even heavier. Janie worried about safety, where she would sleep, and how she would care for Peaches through it all.
But a measure of peace returned the day she received her new RV with the help of The Salvation Army and Ark of the Highland Lakes, the longterm recovery group located in Burnet County. Remembering that moment, Janie states, “I felt a sense of relief that I was finally able to breathe again. I also felt joy watching Peaches jump around excitedly as we entered our new home.”
Having a permanent roof over her head brought her peace, hope, and a renewed sense of stability — right in time for Christmas. Janie says, “Receiving my RV restored my spirit.” She was able to celebrate the holiday with Peaches in her new home.
To the donors who made her new RV possible, she shares heartfelt gratitude. She declares, “The Salvation Army didn’t just provide a home — they gave me back my independence and the ability to move forward with confidence.”
She also describes the team of individuals who helped her recover as compassionate, patient, and deeply supportive through every step. She says they treated her not just as someone needing help, but as a person who deserves care, respect, and understanding.
Today, she spends her days rebuilding routines that bring her joy — caring for Peaches, enjoying hobbies she had set aside during the hardship, and reconnecting with her sense of purpose. She is moving forward one day at a time, grateful for the stability her new home provides and encouraged by the kindness shown to her during her most difficult chapter.