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Help Firefighters Who Lost Homes to McKenzie Fire

**Update 9/20/20**
As of 1700 on Sunday 9/20/20, donors have contributed $51,798 to this gofundme campaign. I am completely amazed by this show of support in only one week. I have made contact with all five fire fighters who this money will be divided amongst. I am in the process of withdrawing funds, getting cashiers checks and coordinating delivery and the recipients should see their checks in the next week.

Because there are so many other people who need help and support during this time, I have decided to end this gofundme. We have raised significantly more than I expected, and now I would like to encourage people to donate to other incredible and deserving groups. The very same night that five McKenzie River firefighter lost their homes, five Santiam River Zone firefighters lost their homes too. They have a gofundme set up that can be found at this link https://gf.me/u/yyq56j

If you feel more of a connection to the McKenzie River there are so many people in need who could use financial support. Here is a link to a google doc with different fundraisers for the McKenzie River community: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CwwCbAW-AMcY8AboJp7Dwva5m5e4y5cVwp9WVy-yWas/htmlview?fbclid=IwAR2mqZPUuYYpvHt955sjm2psBDxwZxOnVMZRfbV38Uk2LcK366-1CJHLs7Q#gid=0

I am so grateful to everyone who has donated. It has been incredible to watch the outpouring of gratitude and support while so many people are hurting. I am grateful to our fire fighters and I know they appreciate the donations from you all.

Thank you so much,
Kaili Swetland

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This fund is to support the wildland firefighters who work at McKenzie River Fire and lost their homes. While the Holiday Farm/McKenzie Fire was devastating the McKenzie Valley, at least six Forest Service fire fighters lost their homes. Others are waiting to find out if their homes have survived. These local fire fighters live in the community. Some of these folks own their homes and some of them rent. Some of them have children and pets and livestock. They are all working still. Please help support those who are working to fight these fires, even without homes! These funds will be used to help pay for basic needs while they get back on their feet. We call on fire fighters to help us, now it is our turn to help them. Thank you. 
 

Some clarification: My name is Kaili Swetland and I grew up in Blue River. I worked at McKenzie River Fire for three years and then worked as a wildland fire dispatcher for another four years after that. I am in contact with a member of the fire crew who is helping me distribute funds to the fire fighters effected. I will be delivering cashiers checks to the fire fighters when they have a day off.  As of 9/18/20 we believe  there are actually only 5 firefighters who had houses burn down. The other home that we thought burned down actually survived. Everyone else who works for McKenzie River Fire has confirmed that their homes are standing. The plan is to distribute funds evenly to each person. The funds are going to be used for immediate expenses and anything these folks need to get back on their feet including vehicles, clothing, laptops, kitchen items and bedding that were all totally destroyed.

Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $200 
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $100 
    • 4 yrs
  • Riva Duncan
    • $200 
    • 4 yrs
  • Sharon Cochrane
    • $100 
    • 4 yrs
  • Jodi Daniels
    • $100 
    • 4 yrs

Fundraising team: Fundraising team (2)

Kaili Swetland
Organizer
Raised $7,260 from 49 donations
Rainbow, OR
Benjamin Swetland
Team member
Raised $150 from 1 donation
This team raised $44,388 from 406 other donations.

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