Dixie Fire Fund for the O’Reilly Albrecht Family

Our friends Kari O’Reilly and Dax Albrecht and their kids Acer and Heron lost their home and farm in Indian Falls to the Dixie Fire the night of July 24th. They are safe, as are their dog and chickens, but their belongings were lost and the house was completely destroyed.

Kari and Dax made a home in Indian Falls after coming to love the little community while working at the neighboring Dawn Gardens. It was their first house, bought just as they got married, and crafted into a much loved farmstead – Shoofly Farm, named after the historic bridge above a favorite swimming hole on Indian Creek. Despite being busy with jobs and kids, they folded the rhythms of farming into their lives because they believe in good food and working the land, crafting a beautiful garden out of a ½ acre plot next to their home. They grew gorgeous winter squash, colorful dry beans, super early summer tomatoes, and the most artfully arranged garlic braids you could imagine. Their sweet garden is believed to have burned as well.

This family is compassionate, humble, funny, hard working and wicked smart. They are the kind of people who show up for their neighbors and community, who are part of the fabric of Plumas County life. If the tables were turned and any one of us had lost our homes in this insane Dixie Fire, they would be the first to lend support.

This fundraiser will contribute to Kari and Dax’s immediate needs while they are displaced, and support whatever their next steps may be. They were reluctant to agree to asking for help, but the logistics of starting anew in the midst of raising a family and working is nothing short of monumental. Let’s ease their journey as they figure out how to make a sweet home once again.

Thank you for anything you are able to give, and thanks as well for sharing this fundraiser. Be safe and well!

Note: GoFundMe is asking for additional information about the person fundraising in order to help prevent fraud, so here it is - I am Elizabeth Powell, friend to Kari and Dax, and Quincy resident for the past 20 or so years. Our families both have young kids. Kari and I both worked at the Dawn Gardens back in the day, we started our farms at the same time, and I had the pleasure of selling their beautiful produce through our local CSA. Thank you.