Donation protected
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/unrelenting-fires-continue-to-ravage-northern-california
On September 28th my dear friend Ileene Christianson-Torres and her parents Magda (MLuz) Torres and mike Christianson tragically lost their home in Deer Park to the Glass Fires. Mike Christianson helped renovate the family home with his parents from 1993-1997, truly making it their own. It is one of the original houses built in 1925 on Sunnyside Road in Dear Park by Willie White, the son of Ellen G White. It has been in the Christianson family for 36 years. Ileene has told me about her Grandmother, Betty Christianson, and how she played a very active roll in not only the local community but also in the Seventh-Day Adventist community. Betty Christianson was a volunteer at the Saint Helena Sanitarium Hospital for 25 years. She always made it a priority to put others first daily and always cared for peoples well being. Fortunately the Christianson-Torres family got to see her before she sadly passed away in 2018. Chris P. Christianson, Betty’s husband, was a long time volunteer at the Angwin Thrift store and community services. He was a World War II Veteran as well.
The Christianson-Torres family had previously evacuated the area due to mandatory evacuation warnings only the day before, holding out for as long as they could in their family home. They evacuated with very little possessions and beloved family dogs. One of the main sources of income for the Christianson-Torres family was the rental apartments from above and below their home, which are now gone.
Magda Torres has worked for the community for several years, working both in Silverado Orchards Retirement Home and Crestwood Rehabilitation Center. As soon as the fires struck on Saturday night, she didn't return to her home until all of the patients of the Rehabilitation Center were safely evacuated to another facility in Vallejo. She is currently a member of the Herbalife Community which has given her a lot of support during these trying times.
Michael Christianson was an avid antique collector from childhood. Mike had amassed a very large collection of fine art, paintings, antique guitars, furniture, samurai swords, and old World War II era firearms, which were all destroyed in the Glass Fire. Mike was a graduate of Pacific Union College in Angwin and worked for them for 8 years as an outside salesman for the PUC Print Shop in 1980-1988. After working at the print shop, Mike spent 15 years learning the ancient Japanese craft of polishing samurai swords for which he was world renowned for. His collection of swords as stated previously were all destroyed.
Ileene Christianson-Torres is a graduate of St. Helena High School, participating in many performing arts activities. She was active in her choir and drama classes, putting on many shows for her community. Her amazing mentors in these classes believed in her and what she is capable of. Ileene's artistic abilities never cease to amaze me; the art she creates on the stage, with her voice, paper and pen is awe-inspiring. She recently started at the Santa Rosa Junior College in Fall of 2019. She is currently taking remote classes at the Junior College in hopes of attaining her Associates of Arts Degree for Transfer. She has been active in the SRJC musicals starring as the lead role in The Wedding Singer, which was sadly cancelled due to COVID-19. She was crestfallen but didn't let it get her spirits down as she turns to her art work and photography during this pandemic. Her parents have always supported her artistic endeavors from a young age.
Many of you have asked how you can help them so we created this GoFundMe. So far they are hoping and praying for the best as it is a truly tragic time for them and many others. Any donation is HIGHLY appreciated as they try to move forward in this new chapter. If you are unable to donate please share!
God Bless!
On September 28th my dear friend Ileene Christianson-Torres and her parents Magda (MLuz) Torres and mike Christianson tragically lost their home in Deer Park to the Glass Fires. Mike Christianson helped renovate the family home with his parents from 1993-1997, truly making it their own. It is one of the original houses built in 1925 on Sunnyside Road in Dear Park by Willie White, the son of Ellen G White. It has been in the Christianson family for 36 years. Ileene has told me about her Grandmother, Betty Christianson, and how she played a very active roll in not only the local community but also in the Seventh-Day Adventist community. Betty Christianson was a volunteer at the Saint Helena Sanitarium Hospital for 25 years. She always made it a priority to put others first daily and always cared for peoples well being. Fortunately the Christianson-Torres family got to see her before she sadly passed away in 2018. Chris P. Christianson, Betty’s husband, was a long time volunteer at the Angwin Thrift store and community services. He was a World War II Veteran as well.
The Christianson-Torres family had previously evacuated the area due to mandatory evacuation warnings only the day before, holding out for as long as they could in their family home. They evacuated with very little possessions and beloved family dogs. One of the main sources of income for the Christianson-Torres family was the rental apartments from above and below their home, which are now gone.
Magda Torres has worked for the community for several years, working both in Silverado Orchards Retirement Home and Crestwood Rehabilitation Center. As soon as the fires struck on Saturday night, she didn't return to her home until all of the patients of the Rehabilitation Center were safely evacuated to another facility in Vallejo. She is currently a member of the Herbalife Community which has given her a lot of support during these trying times.
Michael Christianson was an avid antique collector from childhood. Mike had amassed a very large collection of fine art, paintings, antique guitars, furniture, samurai swords, and old World War II era firearms, which were all destroyed in the Glass Fire. Mike was a graduate of Pacific Union College in Angwin and worked for them for 8 years as an outside salesman for the PUC Print Shop in 1980-1988. After working at the print shop, Mike spent 15 years learning the ancient Japanese craft of polishing samurai swords for which he was world renowned for. His collection of swords as stated previously were all destroyed.
Ileene Christianson-Torres is a graduate of St. Helena High School, participating in many performing arts activities. She was active in her choir and drama classes, putting on many shows for her community. Her amazing mentors in these classes believed in her and what she is capable of. Ileene's artistic abilities never cease to amaze me; the art she creates on the stage, with her voice, paper and pen is awe-inspiring. She recently started at the Santa Rosa Junior College in Fall of 2019. She is currently taking remote classes at the Junior College in hopes of attaining her Associates of Arts Degree for Transfer. She has been active in the SRJC musicals starring as the lead role in The Wedding Singer, which was sadly cancelled due to COVID-19. She was crestfallen but didn't let it get her spirits down as she turns to her art work and photography during this pandemic. Her parents have always supported her artistic endeavors from a young age.
Many of you have asked how you can help them so we created this GoFundMe. So far they are hoping and praying for the best as it is a truly tragic time for them and many others. Any donation is HIGHLY appreciated as they try to move forward in this new chapter. If you are unable to donate please share!
God Bless!
Organizer and beneficiary
Samantha Bohlke-Slater
Organizer
Sebastopol, CA
Ileene Christianson-Torres
Beneficiary