
Almeda Fire Victim Struggling Without Aid
Donation protected
It’s been more than three years since the Almeda fire destroyed almost 3000 homes in Southern Oregon, but there are many who are still affected by it.
Mary (name changed to protect privacy) lives in a small tow-behind RV in a park near Ashland. In September of 2020, a fire sped along the Bear Creek Greenway so fast that she fled for her life, even having to leave her beloved cats behind, though her youngest son was able to rescue them from the area later. After living displaced for over a year, she was finally able to move back into her RV, only to find it was partially melted, along with some of her necessary electronics (such as the microwave and A/C). Over time, more and more items are failing, and it’s becoming an unlivable situation.
Mary is a 79-year-old retired hairdresser (mostly for homebound seniors) and was a single mother of two, so she never had much, but now she’s trying to live on $800 a month and can’t afford to buy a newer RV as her existing one slowly falls apart. She has been trying to get a grant for new living quarters, but you know how difficult it is to make programs like that work, and they won't even start taking applications until March.
We are trying to raise $5500 to make a down-payment on a new RV that she can live in decently and comfortably. Anything you can spare will make a difference for Mary. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Thank you!
Organizer
Samantha McQuiston
Organizer
Ashland, OR