Nick Maffei, Napa Fire Relief

Nick Maffei, our Napa "mountain man,"  escaped the wildfire, but he lost his quiet forest home and all his possessions.  His sisters, nieces and nephew, parents, and many family and friends are thrilled he's safe and want to help him rebuild his life.  Nick is in recovery from a Traumatic Brain Injury from a bicycle accident and now he's been driven out of his home by fire.  He needs supplies and help with moving expenses to find a safe, quiet place to continue his recovery.

Nick is a beloved son, brother, and uncle who is famous in his extended family for his amazing chef skills, especially the bombolotti he learned from his Italian grandma!
"Nick making momos, Tibetan dumplings, for family"

 A graduate of Terra Linda HS and UC Santa Cruz, he loves Northern California and wants to stay close to his family.  "Uncle Nick reading a story"


"Nick at his sister, Sara's wedding with his younger sister, Angie,  and cousin Lindsay (me). "

Before his TBI, Nick took an epic roadtrip all over the US taking nature photographs and he fulfilled a lifelong dream of seeing Mount Everest in person.  After his accident, he settled into a Napa mountain home where he could be close to nature, taking beautiful pictures of the sun rising through the old growth forest.  

"Nick's photo of sunrise from his now-destroyed Napa forest home."

"Nick had a special bond with this ancient tree and took family on walks to see it.  He hasn't heard yet if it survived the fire."  

Although Nick has the full support of his family, it's vital that he find a new home away from the noise of traffic and modern life.  His TBI caused him to have severe migraines triggered by noise, such as the sound of distant cars or even a running refrigerator.  

While Nick is living in a noisy suburban environment, his migraines make it impossible for him to maintain his health.  He is not receiving any state support for his disability at this time, and is unable to work while he is subject to debilitating migraines.  We need to raise funds to help move him to a quiet, safe, peaceful and rural home so that he can focus on his recovery.  

Nick fled his home with only his laptop and his car.  Some things like his Tibet souvenirs and his childhood stuffed bear, Thumba, can never be replaced.  But we're asking for help to fund:
- Clothing
- Basic household supplies (pots, pans, utensils, bed linens etc)
- Furniture (a bed, mattress, couch, table, chairs etc)
- A security deposit and first and last month rent for a new home in NoCal 

Also, if anyone has a lead about a quiet, rural cabin  or apartment away from major roads for rent in Northern California, please let Nick know. 
"Recovery and peace are out there!"
The creator of this page is Lindsay Wright, Nick's cousin, from Sierra Madre, CA.  Nick has approved this content. He will withdraw the funds directly.  It will not go through me or a second party.