As you know I am from California. Many of you know that we had a family cabin in Strawberry, right outside of South Lake Tahoe. Depending on how much you watch the news, you may or may not know that South Lake Tahoe area has been on fire for the last two weeks, the Caldor Fire. The fire has burned 200,00 acres, 25% contained, and is still burning today.

Now, to be clear, my family didn’t own a second home in Tahoe. Our cabin was a 600 sq ft two room log structure, that for the majority of my life had no running water and you used an outhouse across the road. The cabin is the most special place my family has and the history held within those four walls in most important to me.

The Caldor Fire has burned through Strawberry and is making it’s way through Tahoe, toward Nevada. We don’t know if our cabin is still standing. We know our Uncle’s cabin up the road in Twin Bridges was burned to the ground. I have watched my mom for the last week not sleep, not eat, and search the internet for hours looking for hope. And yet, we are fortunate. We have a roof over our head, beds to sleep in, kitchens to cook in. Many people in that area are not.

So I’m asking for your help. The area will need to be rebuilt. Materials will need to be purchased. Dead trees and brush will need be cleared. New trees need to be planted. People will need food and shelter for the weeks and months ahead. I’ve never done this in my life but I’ve started a GoFundMe. Full transparency, I will not be using any fund for our family. If you cabin is gone, we will mourn the loss and move forward. I will be giving all funds raised to Squirrel (yes, that’s his name, you can read an interview with him here ). He runs the market in Strawberry and knows everyone in the area. He’s helped so many in the community. I’ve borrowed tool from him, he’s helped me with woodworking, and I trust him to use the fund to help those within the community directly.

To be complete truthful….if you are reading this, you’re fortunate. If you pay a cable bill, you are fortunate. Many don’t have a house to watch TV in anymore. If you eat at a restaurant or buy coffee in the morning, you are fortunate. Many don’t have a kitchen to cook in for the months ahead. So give. Take a look at your life, and your finances, and give what you can. The truth is, we can all give something.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.