Help The Schelin Family After The Marshall Fire

 

Hi, My name is Katherine Jones and I’d like to share the story of our neighbors, the Schelin Family: Lars, Sara, Dylan, and Malia whose Superior, CO home was destroyed by the Marshall Fire.

 

The Schelin Family have lived on Jarosa Lane since 2006. Dylan, their oldest, is a senior at Fairview High School graduating in May and their youngest, Malia, just started at Fairview as a freshman this past Fall. Both Dylan and Malia attended Superior Elementary School, and then attended Eldorado K-8 and Monarch K-8 respectively.

 

On Thursday, December 30th, 2021, The Marshall Fire became the most destructive fire in the state of Colorado. As first responders fought the flames that had caught onto the houses facing south towards Community Park off Eldorado Drive, Lars and Sara’s home had caught on fire. Their home was in immediate danger at the corner of our street, while dozens of firefighters' hoses poured gallons of water into the hole that had formed so quickly on their roof. This essentially helped save what is left of their home, and all those homes still standing on Jarosa and Imperial Lanes. We are so grateful that our neighborhood was spared.

 

The following day, eight inches of snow began to fall, blanketing their burned residence. The pools of water that were used to extinguish the fire began to freeze throughout their house. Their personal items essentially were frozen into blocks of ice in every single room. Due to water damage and toxic VOCs, most of their belongings are no longer salvageable or beyond repair. The complete extent of the damage to their home is still being evaluated, but all of the drywall and electrical will have to be redone since almost everything is submerged in water from the melting snow. The damage is so significant that their home will likely have to undergo an extensive amount of repair or be completely rebuilt. The cleaning, mitigation, rebuild, and replacement of valuables will likely cost the family an estimated $500,000 and displace the Schelin’s from their home for up to a year.

 

As a family, they are hanging in there. The Schelin’s feel like they are a part of the “lucky ones.” Malia’s room unfortunately got the worst of it. The fire on their roof was right above her room, and it is now completely decimated. She is putting on a brave face and says that so many others affected by this tragedy have it even worse. Dylan and Malia left with their favorite clothes and winter jackets, so they are not asking for any clothing items at this time. The Schelin’s also say that gift cards to grocery stores and/or wholesalers along with storage containers to collect belongings from their home would be extremely helpful. Malia is a promising competitive soccer player with the Colorado Rush Soccer Club. The family is hoping to keep Malia involved in this outstanding program to give her and her family some sense of normalcy in these unprecedented times.

 

If you would like to help the Schelin family in any other way, please feel free to message me personally. Anything and everything is appreciated.

 

Thank you for your support of this kind and generous family.