Cherie Grubbs' Oregon Fire Relief
Donation protected
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/15/us/fires-phoenix-oregon.html
Dear Family and Friends,
On September 8th, the Almeda Fire raged through the small town of Talent, Oregon, a few miles outside of Ashland. Hundreds of homes were burned to the ground. One of those homes belonged to my cousin, Cherie Grubbs. In the span of a few hours, she lost everything.
Cherie was away helping a neighbor that morning as the fire bore down on her community. Her daughter and roommate barely had time to grab her two dogs and drive north ahead of the flames. The next day she got the devastating news that her home and car were gone.
My cousin is one of the strongest, most resilient women I know. She has already stared tragedy in the face. Her only son, 23, was murdered nine years ago in a public park while walking home from work one afternoon. Without witnesses or motive, David's case completely baffled the Ashland Police and remains unsolved. As anyone who has lost a child knows, you never fully recover. You hold tight to your memories and keep walking bravely forward. Cherie knows this walk well. She told me time was slowly helping her heal. Until this.
A New York Times reporter interviewed Cherie the day she returned to sift through the ashes. She was mainly searching for any memories she could find of David. His guitar, framed photos, cards he had written. Mementos of her son were the only thing on her mind. This Times photo shows her surveying the bleak scene before telling the reporter "I thought I had paid my grief dues."
In a photo I will try and post later, I'm sitting on Cherie's lap in the early 60's. She is holding tightly on to me, her younger cousin. Very apropos. I don't remember a time when Cherie wasn't there for me. I looked up to her. I admired her. And now, as she picks herself up from a second tragic punch, I am determined to be there for her.
I decided to start a GoFundMe account, which I sincerely hope will give Cherie a solid financial boost up from the ashes. She will be the sole beneficiary of this account and would access these funds to purchase immediate essentials. Whatever remains I know would go a long way to help her begin rebuilding her life.
As hard as it is to ask friends for money, I believe my dear and steadfast cousin is well worth this effort, and I would love to make it happen.
Cherie and I thank every one of you for considering a donation at this time. I know how thinly stretched we all are this year. Any amount you can give will definitely make a difference.
With love and gratitude,
~Lynne Barstow
Dear Family and Friends,
On September 8th, the Almeda Fire raged through the small town of Talent, Oregon, a few miles outside of Ashland. Hundreds of homes were burned to the ground. One of those homes belonged to my cousin, Cherie Grubbs. In the span of a few hours, she lost everything.
Cherie was away helping a neighbor that morning as the fire bore down on her community. Her daughter and roommate barely had time to grab her two dogs and drive north ahead of the flames. The next day she got the devastating news that her home and car were gone.
My cousin is one of the strongest, most resilient women I know. She has already stared tragedy in the face. Her only son, 23, was murdered nine years ago in a public park while walking home from work one afternoon. Without witnesses or motive, David's case completely baffled the Ashland Police and remains unsolved. As anyone who has lost a child knows, you never fully recover. You hold tight to your memories and keep walking bravely forward. Cherie knows this walk well. She told me time was slowly helping her heal. Until this.
A New York Times reporter interviewed Cherie the day she returned to sift through the ashes. She was mainly searching for any memories she could find of David. His guitar, framed photos, cards he had written. Mementos of her son were the only thing on her mind. This Times photo shows her surveying the bleak scene before telling the reporter "I thought I had paid my grief dues."
In a photo I will try and post later, I'm sitting on Cherie's lap in the early 60's. She is holding tightly on to me, her younger cousin. Very apropos. I don't remember a time when Cherie wasn't there for me. I looked up to her. I admired her. And now, as she picks herself up from a second tragic punch, I am determined to be there for her.
I decided to start a GoFundMe account, which I sincerely hope will give Cherie a solid financial boost up from the ashes. She will be the sole beneficiary of this account and would access these funds to purchase immediate essentials. Whatever remains I know would go a long way to help her begin rebuilding her life.
As hard as it is to ask friends for money, I believe my dear and steadfast cousin is well worth this effort, and I would love to make it happen.
Cherie and I thank every one of you for considering a donation at this time. I know how thinly stretched we all are this year. Any amount you can give will definitely make a difference.
With love and gratitude,
~Lynne Barstow
Organizer and beneficiary
Lynne Barstow
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC
Cherie Grubbs
Beneficiary