Rodrigues Family Tubbs Fire Relief

At 1:45 am on October 9, 2017, my family and I woke up to the commotion in our cul-de-sac. Our neighbors had just gotten word that a raging wildfire was rapidly approaching our neighborhood and told us that we better prepare to evacuate. Just after 2 am, we were scrambling in absolute darkness filling bags with picture frames and photo albums, a physical embodiment of memories that can’t be replaced, hearing police evacuation commands. Shortly thereafter, we were out the door with only the hope that we could return once the sun came up.

My 7 person family was one of the many victims of an unforgiving Northern California Tubbs Fire that destroyed our home and took from us all that we owned. Overwhelmed by feelings of complete and utter sadness for the loss that our family and our community have faced, my sister, Sabrina, and I have turned to this platform to ignite our recovery process and the recovery process of our community. Our father Sean Rodrigues will be held as the beneficiary of our family's gofundme account because as the head of the house hold he holds the most responsibility and will be in charge of delegating where the money gets spent in our family budget.

As an immigrant family from South Africa, this is particularly heartbreaking. We have fought so hard to build a life in California over the years, overcoming many of the challenges that have arisen along the way. This country has been a pillar of hope and inspiration for me and my family. But now without a home, we feel hopeless and unsure about our future in this country.   

Thank you tremendously for any help you can provide during this process. 

#sonomacountystrong