My family and I are facing an incredibly difficult time after a devastating wildfire destroyed our home and literally everything we owned. There are five of us—my mother, my daughter, my son and daughter-in-law, and myself. Thankfully, none of us were injured, but we lost everything and have been forced to separate, staying with relatives The Dalles and in Klickitat. We have no immediate prospects for new housing and are trying to figure out our next steps as a family.

We lived in our home in Rowena for nearly 40 years. This is where my mom, brother, children, and I were all born and raised. Our roots in this community run deep, and losing our home has been heartbreaking. When the fire started, I tried to go back and save some things, but law enforcement wouldn't let me through. My mom didn't leave the house until embers were coming down on the roof—she didn't realize how serious it was, so she didn't have time to grab much of anything. I watched her cry because she wasn't even able to grab my dad's ashes.

My daughter is turning 7 next month, and it’s difficult not being able to provide her with the stability and comfort she deserves. Right now, we urgently need help with basic necessities, especially professional clothing in petite sizes for my job as a Chiropractic Assistant, as well as clothing for my daughter and my mom. Every contribution will help us rebuild our lives, stay connected as a family, and eventually find a new place to call home.

Your support means the world to us as we work to recover from this loss. Thank you for reading our story and for any help you can offer.