Mitchell’s House Fire- Gray Fire

Hi! Thanks for clicking the link and taking the time to read this. My name is Cindy Ramey and I am trying to raise funds for our sweet family friends, Stewart and Tina Mitchell and their kids, Julian and Celina.

My family and I met the Mitchell family 13 years ago when we became neighbors across the street at Holloman AFB base in New Mexico. An old jeep that my husband bought, brought us together and the Mitchell’s have become like family ever since. Over the years they were stationed at a few different Air Force bases from Germany to North Dakota, Washington, New Mexico, and a few deployments that Stewart was sent on. In 2019 they landed in Stewart’s home state of Washington, at Fairchild AFB. Stewart retired out of the Air Force from Fairchild AFB in 2021 and they decided to stay settled in Medical Lake, WA.

On August 18th, 2023 the “Gray Fire” in Medical Lake, WA started as a brush fire, and within hours grew to 200, 500, 3,000, and then nearly 10,000 acres in less than 24 hours. Unfortunately in it’s path were approximately 185 structures, to include the Mitchells’s home, and 3 of their vehicles. The entire south end of their street was wiped out in a matter of a few hours.

Fortunately, Stewart and Tina were away camping for the weekend, their son was out of town for the weekend, and their daughter was able to get home just in time to gather the dogs, and just a (few) belongings before the fire made it to their street, and turned their house, and several of their neighbors homes to ashes.

You can replace “things”, but you cannot replace people, so for that we are incredibly thankful they are safe .

While they prepare to literally pick up the pieces and figure out what they are going to do moving forward, they are going to be in need of some of the most basic things like dog food, personal care items, under garments, and so much more. They’ve got a long, daunting, and very emotional road ahead dealing with insurance, cleanup, and making arrangements for life going forward.

Their daughter is set to start her senior year of high school soon, and unfortunately she left with only a few articles of clothing and one pair of shoes- since she spent more time worrying about gathering the animals. Their 19 year old son, who lives at home while attending Eastern Washington University, brought only a few things for the weekend since he expected to come home Sunday. He is set to start his second year at the University soon.

What I am asking, if you felt led, is to consider donating anything to help them get some basics they will need for now. Even if it’s just $1 or $5, anything will help. The Mitchells are the type of people to give the shirts off of their back to someone in need. They have huge hearts and do so much for others, this is just a small gesture to help ease some of their immediate burdens.

Thank you again for taking the time to read this!