What do you do at 73 when a wildfire wipes you out?
For sure you take a little while to get your bearings, find shelter, and apply for various kinds of public and private disaster relief! You say your prayers and give thanks for surviving!
Our beloved brother in Christ Deacon Dave & his wife Sh. Karla Newberry have lost their home of 20+ years to the devastating August CZU Wildfire. Dn. Dave & his extended family of 8 have served our sister Parish Sts. Peter & Paul for more than 45 years. Unfortunately, his home was underinsured and insurance costs have barely covered the cost of the mortgage.
In the wee hours of Sunday, August 16 an intense heat wave turned deadly when a windy, dry lightning storm ignited dozens of small fires in the coastal Santa Cruz mountains. Within three days the winds had fanned the CZU fire complex into an all-devouring monster that overran the Newberry property from two directions. (Just this week, after 37 days, the fire was finally contained! ) Initial thoughts of making a stand with well water and hand tools were quickly replaced by stuffing their two vehicles with all they could quickly gather and fleeing as advancing flames, smoke, and wind-driven embers threatened their only escape route.
Government relief programs housed them for the first few weeks, and now they have temporary shelter in the basement apartment of fellow parishioners. They are among the tens of thousands of Californians wending their way through the thicket of unfamiliar government programs and strictures that regulate cleanup and the possibility of rebuilding.
How can you help them and those they help sustain?
We all know how devastating this year has been for everyone, we thank you in advance for any amount you can afford.
“Every man according as he purposely in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” -2 Corinthians 9:7
Please contact me with any questions ... and with your commitment to give. Many thanks.
Fr. George Washburn Pastoral Assistant,
Fire Relief Coordinator SS Peter & Paul AOC,
Ben Lomond, CA
831/359-1051
[email redacted]