Meet Lauren and Kalen Clayton.

My cousin and cousin-in-law respectively are amazing, hardworking, honest and genuinely kind people.

Lauren and Kalen have been happily married for six years. Kalen currently acts as Sales Coordinator at Klean Kanteen, and Lauren is Pharmacy Technician at both Rite Aid in Paradise as well as Enloe Medical Center.

They became first-time homeowners a few years ago to an adorable home on McClain Lane in Paradise, California.

I remember that Lauren was so incredibly excited that, when she found out that their offer was accepted on the house, she was so excited she could barely breathe. It was THEIR house, no doubt about that - quaint, understated, full of charm and just felt like... well, the way a home should. It was perfect.

There, they experienced promotions, graduations, triumphs and losses, job changes and family gatherings. Uproarious laughter as well as words of comfort. This incredible hub of cherished memories was one that they were lucky enough to also share with their fur babies - quite literally the light of their lives: their dog and three kitties.

Unfortunately, that hub of cherished memories is gone now.

Lauren and Kalen were able to flee their home in time to escape the terrifying Camp Fire that struck Paradise on November 8th - but, only just.

They, tragically, were unable to catch their beloved tuxedo kitty, Ozkar, who was terrified of the flames and escaped their grasp.

They loaded a few documents and bare essentials into their car and proceeded to make the journey through what essentially became an apocalyptic tunnel of flames surrounding the road.

Shaken and grieving, they managed to make it out.

They were recently given notice that the lane their home is on was referred to as a flatland. There is likely nothing left.

They are absolutely devastated - not just about what was lost, but picking up the pieces of what is yet to come and trying to find a new kind of normal after this loss.

They have little but the clothes on their back, and even a share helps so much to aid them in recovering.

I appreciate any help you are able to extend to my beautiful family, as well as any others impacted by this tragic event.

Thank you so very much for your consideration.