Help Cohasset Park Fire Victims James and Janene

My parents, James and Janene, were among those who lost their home in the Park fire in Cohasset. Their home on Watson Lane, which my father built from the ground up, is now nothing but ashes. The only remnants are a few appliances, a wheelbarrow, and the remains of two vehicles. They cherished their home and their lives in the hills of Cohasset.

They were evacuated on Wednesday, July 24th, with their clothes on their backs, their vehicle, two dogs, and one cat. One of their cats was not able to be found. They are surviving off of frozen meals and the bare minimum to take care of their animals. They really need help with immediate needs and all of the unexpected expenses that occur when you have no home.

They have been staying in hotels since July 24. They stayed in Chico long enough to have confirmation that their home was entirely destroyed.

After confirming their home was lost, my parents decided to leave the area to escape the smoke and emotional toll of their memories in Chico. They are now in a different hotel, but their financial situation is dire. They have limited savings and will run out of funds before they can rebuild without support.

My greatest fear is that this stress and uncertainty may overwhelm them, especially given their age, severe health issues, and unfamiliarity with current times and technology. I don’t want to lose my parents because they lost their home. My father is on Social Security, and my mother is waiting until she turns 65 to apply for benefits. She is currently 61, and my father is nearly 70.

We’re uncertain if FEMA will provide any assistance, but I hope they do. We are waiting to see if the President declares the Park Fire a disaster. It certainly feels like a disaster to all affected by it. Even if FEMA does help them, it will likely not be enough to cover all their needs. I want nothing more than for my parents to find peace and stability in their later years, something they had achieved in Cohasset.

I’ve set up this account in my name because my parents aren’t familiar with the internet and don’t own a laptop. I’ve taken a leave of absence from my job to help them navigate this crisis. Any support or resources available would mean the world to us. Thank you for your compassion and understanding during this difficult time. My thoughts and my heart are with everyone affected by the Park fire.

Any donations will be used to immediately house them. They are in an Airbnb in Humboldt County, but that is not sustainable. They feel they need some time to grieve away from the trauma. Then, they want to get back to Chico and rent an apartment while they figure out how to rebuild. Donations will also be used for food, pet supplies, gas, and I have no idea, but whatever comes up in a day when you have nothing. Thank you so much to everyone.