Help Cherie Recover From Tragic Fire

On Thursday, July 24th, at 7 pm, a fire completely destroyed my mom, Cherie Bianco’s, home in Borrego Springs, California. Thankfully, she is safe. But in a matter of hours, she lost everything: her home, her car, her clothing, personal items, furniture, and most heartbreakingly, her beloved dog Chi Chi and cats Benny and Jewel, a precious part of her daily life and our family. It took 12 firetrucks and 75 firefighters working until 2 am to contain the fire. Two neighbors also acted heroically, using their own hoses to help stop the flames from spreading. We’re so grateful for their courage and quick action. While Cherie had insurance, her coverage is very limited and will not come close to replacing all that she’s lost.

Cherie moved to Borrego Springs in 2019, drawn by the beauty and peace of living in a slower-paced environment and the allure of being in an international dark sky community. While in Borrego, she recently earned her 500-hour certification in Kundalini Yoga and has been teaching yoga to her friends and neighbors (many of whom are in their seventies). In addition to teaching, she also gave haircuts from her home to friends, neighbors, and others in the community. She’s been a professional hairdresser for as long as I can remember, and it’s always been one of the ways she cares for the people around her.

My mom is a proud and self-sufficient person who would never ask for help on her own, but this loss is overwhelming. We’re starting this fund to help her begin again, covering essentials like clothing, basic household needs, and temporary housing, and to relieve some of the financial pressure she’s facing right now as she tries to reassemble her life. Cherie’s spirit remains strong, even in the face of this tragedy. She shared with us: “The Universe (God) is making something wonderful for me. I know it. This isn’t the first time I’ve started over with nothing but my family. I love you all.” If you’re able to contribute, even a small amount, it would mean so much to her and to us as a family. Thank you for reading, for your support, and for holding us in your hearts as we grieve and help Cherie move forward.