Help Mike and Christie Rebuild Hope (Eaton Fire)

I am coordinating this fundraiser for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law Mike and Christie McIntire, who are currently enduring horrific loss and hardship due to the Eaton Fire in the Los Angeles area. While they haven’t yet been allowed back to see what is left of their home (if anything), they have heard from multiple neighbors/sources that their entire neighborhood has been flattened.

Mike and Christie live in Altadena with their two beautiful daughters Ailey (13) and Abby (4) as well as their sweet pets.

Late yesterday, they had to prepare for the worst as they could see and smell the fire approaching their home in the distance.

From Mike’s post (pre-evacuation):

“This is an eerie feeling….waiting to see if we will be evacuated. Hearing the winds rage through the house and roof. Just the sound of sirens and wind.

The cars are ready and so are the pets. We can leave within 5 minutes of any order. Abby is sleeping soundly. Christie, Ailey, and I will take turns sleeping tonight.

They have shut off all power for safety. We have flashlights and batteries for days.”

Then, the worst arrived. Later that night the smoke was too thick for them to breathe. Embers were flying on their street and they had zero visibility. At 2:24am, Christie said that they needed to leave and she was right. They narrowly escaped…it was chaos as they were painfully displaced.

Thankfully they were able to temporarily stay with friends for a short time, then they had to split up between Christie’s mom and a hotel room to try and get through the next night. Right now it is unknown where they will stay next, and there is so much uncertainty and heartache ahead.

Since they are still very much in the midst of this disaster, there quite a bit that is unknown. They have tried getting up to their house to see if it was still standing, but they couldn’t get anywhere near it.

Christie took pictures of what she could, but they are still in the thick of the devastation and are understandably exhausted.

From Christie:

”It was an apocalyptic war zone. Multiple neighbors have said our block is gone. We are in shock. We have our lives, our children, our pets and our cars. I keep thinking I will wake up from this nightmare.

And then I think, what’s next? Where will we go tomorrow? Too much to process.

We appreciate your prayers right now.”

If you don’t personally know Mike, Christie, and their children…they are some of the most resilient and steadfast fighters you’ll ever encounter. I know they will come back stronger than ever from this, as they are unfortunately no strangers to tragedy, loss, and multiple challenges that life has thrown at them.

Not even 5 months ago, their 4-yr old daughter Abby (quite possibly the strongest and bravest McIntire of us all) underwent open heart surgery and came out the other side as beautiful and happy as ever! Abby is the ultimate bundle of sheer joy, and she brings happiness EVERYWHERE she goes! We were fortunate enough to have them visit us in NC last summer before her surgery, and we all had such an amazing time! ♥️

Abby has an extra chromosome called Trisomy 21, or Down Syndrome. This means she gets to show the world what it means to unconditionally love others without regard to what they look like or what they can or can’t do. She started her life in the NICU when she was born, and she continues to battle through anything the world throws at her. She is and has always been a fighter!

It’s no wonder that little Abby is so strong, since she takes after her daddy Mike who has also faced tremendous health challenges throughout the years. Through all of their challenges, I have been in absolute awe how this family’s love and strength has shone through in the face of adversity.

Their beautiful older daughter, Ailey, will be turning 14 in just a few short weeks. Her elementary school (Saint Mark’s, also in Altadena) is also gone. Many of Ailey’s classmates from there have also tragically lost their homes. The level of devastation and tragedy and life adversity Ailey has already endured is heartbreaking and unfathomable. A girl her age shouldn’t be forced to mature as quickly as she has. Ailey has been right there by her family’s side to be the resilient rock that they need to get them through so much.

In this difficult time, I ask that you send a prayer, positive thoughts, and love to this family! If you are able to contribute (in any amount, no matter how small), I know they would appreciate any help you can provide as they prepare for what they will be facing as this disaster unfolds. Any funds raised will go directly to Mike and Christie to help them pick up the pieces of their life through this unimaginable loss.

Thank you for your kindness and prayers!