We are creating this GoFundMe to support our dear friend Ashly Collins and her family who lost everything when their home was consumed by the most devastating fire in California history. The Collins have been part of the Paradise community for three generations and are incredibly heartbroken to see their town destroyed.

On the morning of November 8th, Kristen Collins (Ashly’s mom) received a call alerting her to the evacuation. The fire had already reached her neighbors’ homes, leaving Kristen only a few minutes to grab some of their pets and escape with nothing else. Shaken and in disbelief, she left Paradise with the fire consuming both sides of the main road. Luckily, Ashly’s father Brian was already at work in Chico that morning. Brian’s father was also fortunate and escaped with his neighbor who took the dirt-roads through the mountains - arriving safely to Chico with just the clothes on their backs. Ashly’s younger sister Devin, along with Devin’s boyfriend, Josh, survived the fire but their apartment, restaurant where Josh worked, car, and belongings did not make it.

In the fire, the Collins Family lost their beloved cats, precious hand-knit blankets and hand-sewn dresses, scrapbooks for every important year and milestone of Ashly’s and Devin’s lives, and countless other keepsakes and memories that can never be replaced. The Collins are fortunate enough to be safe, but they will face a struggle during the coming months as they carve out their new future.

We were not asked to start this GoFundMe, but we would like to help our friend Ashly and the Collin’s family during this difficult time. Insurance can often take awhile to cover costs and immediate assistance is needed.

Thank you for your support! We are so very grateful.