Nolan Family Hennessy Fire Recovery Fund
Donation protected
The Nolan Family lost their home in the Berryessa Highlands to the LNU Lightning Complex Fires on August 19th, 2020. Cassidy, a Marine veteran, and Jillian have four children, Arianna (7), Melanie (5) Colt (3), and Olivia (1). The funds raised here will help them rebuild their lives. As of this posting, they need help with the day to day - enough clothes for more than a couple days, food, diapers, and a place to stay. As the weeks go on these funds will help them resettle, and work to make their children's lives as normal as possible. Thank you all for your kind words in these hard times. For more about their story, click 'read more' below.
///////
On Monday morning, August 17th, smoke was visible from the Nolan Family home in the Berryessa Highlands. As native Napa residents they are not strangers to the wildfire danger of the area, but their love of the outdoors and the desire to surround their children with nature inspired them to buy a home, their first home, in the Highlands just two months before. With the power out and the fire growing, Cassidy and Jillian Nolan decided to play it safe and go to town with their four children, Arianna (7), Melanie (5) Colt (3), and Olivia (1). They also brought their adopted 2-year-old dog, Indy, and their cat, Lilly, who they had found abandoned years earlier and nursed back to health. They took shelter for the night and watched the early spread of the Hennessy and Gamble fires closely.
Cassidy and Jillian, 2011
Cassidy, Jillian, and baby Olivia, December 2019
Arianna, Colt, and Melanie at the Oakland Zoo (left to right)
On Tuesday morning they checked out of the hotel room and headed back up to the highlands. They spent the morning making sure that they had each child's favorite blanket and stuffed animal, knowing it could be days or weeks before they were home again. As they prepared, it became clear that the fire was moving quickly and they were out of time. A neighbor said he would spray down their house if needed. They thanked him, loaded up their car, and began back down the hill toward Napa. Along the way a sheriff stopped them to make sure they had everything; the mandatory evacuation was about to be declared and they wouldn't be allowed back up.
The view from the Nolan Family home in the Berryessa Highlands, June 2020
Tuesday night the fire more than doubled in size, wrapping around the south side of the lake and making a charge towards Vacaville. This fast spread caused many evacuations in the middle of the night with little warning to Solano communities. No one imagined the fire would grow so fast or move so far.
Wednesday morning Jillian and Cassidy frantically reached out to their friends for any information about their neighborhood. By some small miracle, the fire had passed by the Berryessa Highlands on it's charge east, missing them completely. They weren't out of danger, but for a moment they were relieved.
By 5:30pm on Wednesday, August 19th, houses in the Highlands were on fire. The Nolan's friend and neighbor, who had made it through the night before guarding the neighborhood, knew it was time to evacuate. CAL Fire resources were scarce and spread thin across the massive fire. Photos emerged on twitter less than a half mile from their home showing structures aflame. All they could do was wait. It wasn't until Thursday morning that they got word of all houses on their street being lost. Even still, they found themselves holding out hope that maybe their home would be the exception. Late on Thursday they received a photograph of their street and knew for sure they had lost everything. They continue to grapple with the reality of this loss, and to help their young children understand why they aren't going home.
Berryessa Highlands on August 20th; The Nolan Family home was at the end of this court on the right hand side.
The Nolan's are grateful for their friends and family that have offered love and support in these hard time. Countless people have reached out to them and their loved ones asking about ways to help them - it is for this reason Jillian's family has created this Go-Fund-Me on their behalf.
The Nolan Family, in search of a Christmas tree, December 2018
Arianna, Melanie, Colt, and Olivia, playing on the deck of their Berryessa Highlands home, summer 2020.
///////
You may not know me, but I have known Jillian her whole life. Technically, Jillian is my cousin, but more truthfully she is my sister and one of my best friends. I have had the pleasure of knowing Cassidy since they started dating over 10 years ago, and had the honor of being with them for the birth of their two youngest children. Like so many of you, I am heartbroken for their loss and want to help in any way I can. In order to give Jillian and Cassidy time with their children, and to focus on what comes next, I will be coordinating those who are asking for ways to support them. The funds raised here will go to help them rebuild their lives. As of this posting, they need help with the day to day - enough clothes for more than a couple days, food, diapers, and a place to stay. As the weeks go on these funds will help them resettle, and work to make their children's lives as normal as possible. Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you want to be involved in helping them rebuild their life outside of this fundraiser. As we have learned from unfortunate recent experience with these fires, transition and recovery is a long road.
More than anything, I know Jillian and Cassidy are both grateful for their health, the safety of their children, and your friendship. They will find their way through this difficult time.
Jessica Hunter
///////
On Monday morning, August 17th, smoke was visible from the Nolan Family home in the Berryessa Highlands. As native Napa residents they are not strangers to the wildfire danger of the area, but their love of the outdoors and the desire to surround their children with nature inspired them to buy a home, their first home, in the Highlands just two months before. With the power out and the fire growing, Cassidy and Jillian Nolan decided to play it safe and go to town with their four children, Arianna (7), Melanie (5) Colt (3), and Olivia (1). They also brought their adopted 2-year-old dog, Indy, and their cat, Lilly, who they had found abandoned years earlier and nursed back to health. They took shelter for the night and watched the early spread of the Hennessy and Gamble fires closely.
Cassidy and Jillian, 2011Cassidy, Jillian, and baby Olivia, December 2019Arianna, Colt, and Melanie at the Oakland Zoo (left to right) On Tuesday morning they checked out of the hotel room and headed back up to the highlands. They spent the morning making sure that they had each child's favorite blanket and stuffed animal, knowing it could be days or weeks before they were home again. As they prepared, it became clear that the fire was moving quickly and they were out of time. A neighbor said he would spray down their house if needed. They thanked him, loaded up their car, and began back down the hill toward Napa. Along the way a sheriff stopped them to make sure they had everything; the mandatory evacuation was about to be declared and they wouldn't be allowed back up.
The view from the Nolan Family home in the Berryessa Highlands, June 2020 Tuesday night the fire more than doubled in size, wrapping around the south side of the lake and making a charge towards Vacaville. This fast spread caused many evacuations in the middle of the night with little warning to Solano communities. No one imagined the fire would grow so fast or move so far.
Wednesday morning Jillian and Cassidy frantically reached out to their friends for any information about their neighborhood. By some small miracle, the fire had passed by the Berryessa Highlands on it's charge east, missing them completely. They weren't out of danger, but for a moment they were relieved.
By 5:30pm on Wednesday, August 19th, houses in the Highlands were on fire. The Nolan's friend and neighbor, who had made it through the night before guarding the neighborhood, knew it was time to evacuate. CAL Fire resources were scarce and spread thin across the massive fire. Photos emerged on twitter less than a half mile from their home showing structures aflame. All they could do was wait. It wasn't until Thursday morning that they got word of all houses on their street being lost. Even still, they found themselves holding out hope that maybe their home would be the exception. Late on Thursday they received a photograph of their street and knew for sure they had lost everything. They continue to grapple with the reality of this loss, and to help their young children understand why they aren't going home.
Berryessa Highlands on August 20th; The Nolan Family home was at the end of this court on the right hand side. The Nolan's are grateful for their friends and family that have offered love and support in these hard time. Countless people have reached out to them and their loved ones asking about ways to help them - it is for this reason Jillian's family has created this Go-Fund-Me on their behalf.
The Nolan Family, in search of a Christmas tree, December 2018 Arianna, Melanie, Colt, and Olivia, playing on the deck of their Berryessa Highlands home, summer 2020. ///////
You may not know me, but I have known Jillian her whole life. Technically, Jillian is my cousin, but more truthfully she is my sister and one of my best friends. I have had the pleasure of knowing Cassidy since they started dating over 10 years ago, and had the honor of being with them for the birth of their two youngest children. Like so many of you, I am heartbroken for their loss and want to help in any way I can. In order to give Jillian and Cassidy time with their children, and to focus on what comes next, I will be coordinating those who are asking for ways to support them. The funds raised here will go to help them rebuild their lives. As of this posting, they need help with the day to day - enough clothes for more than a couple days, food, diapers, and a place to stay. As the weeks go on these funds will help them resettle, and work to make their children's lives as normal as possible. Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you want to be involved in helping them rebuild their life outside of this fundraiser. As we have learned from unfortunate recent experience with these fires, transition and recovery is a long road.
More than anything, I know Jillian and Cassidy are both grateful for their health, the safety of their children, and your friendship. They will find their way through this difficult time.
Jessica Hunter
Organizer and beneficiary
Jessica Hunter
Organizer
Napa, CA
Cassidy Nolan
Beneficiary
