My parents, Fred and Heather Schmidt, lost their home to the Almeda wildfire that ripped through Talent, Oregon on September 8. They evacuated with a flute and a clarinet, but left everything else — they didn't even take a change of clothes. Everything they had is gone. There is nothing left of their neighborhood, so they're staying with me in Medford.

As good Midwesterners, they are more than a little mortified that I am creating this fund for them. They're convinced that, although they lost their home and everything in it, there are others who need help more than they do. But if losing everything isn't the right time to accept help, when is?

I hope this fund will be convenient for those who want a concrete way to help my parents through this tragedy.