JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Kyle Snyder is an avid volunteer, a former EMT, and a medical assistant studying nursing at FSCJ. It’s clear that he loves helping people and giving back, but now, he needs help from others.
Snyder’s Fleming Island house was destroyed in a fire last Monday. His friends and classmates are rallying behind him and asking for support just before the holidays.
“It’s something that you never think will ever happen to you,” Snyder told Action News Jax.
He lost everything after he says a fire started in his kitchen while he was away.
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“Last Monday morning I went out to get breakfast and I got an alert on my phone from my app. My thermostat said ‘high temperatures in the house.’ It said ‘450 degrees,’ and I thought, ‘There’s no way that’s possible.’ I looked at my Ring camera and saw smoke everywhere,” he explained.
The biggest loss of all was Snyder’s rescue dog, Batman, a Lab/pit bull mix.
“Everything else is replaceable, and that’s not a big deal really, that’s more of an inconvenience; losing a pet, which is a family member,” he added.
Snyder is heartbroken over Batman, but through the devastation, it’s clear he has friends like his classmate Noel Garvie, who are supporting him every step of the way.
“Kyle, we are all here for you,” Garvie said. “You know you do have a big support system, and we will all miss Batman.”
Snyder says the support is overwhelming and humbling.
“Sometimes it takes a tragedy to realize how fortunate you are,” he said. “Just be thankful for what you do have, because a lot of things can change quickly.”
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You can help Snyder by donating here.