Priddy Family Creek Fire Disaster Recovery Fund
Donation protected
Hello my name is Terra and I am a single mother with 4 children who have been affected by the Creek Fire in Auberry CA. My home is located off the Jose Basin area.
On September 5th 2020, just before going to bed, the kids and I were outside our home staring in awe of the bright red sky off into the distance. The cover photo I posted for this fundraiser is not a filter this was how bright the flames lit up the night sky. Im a busy mother who doesnt watch any TV and I was unaware that the fire was so big and growing so fast. Thankfully the winds changed and the redness in the sky died down and the kids and I assumed all was well and that it was under control and we headed to bed.
As I wake up the next morning the smell of smoke filled the air in my room and my lungs were burning. It looked like i woke up on Mars. The sky was reddish orange and ominious looking. As I laid there trying to process what reality I was in, an alert came through on our phones that we needed to evacuate and get to safety. And thus started our journey of uncertainty. Its a weird thought process as you try and pack up the things you need knowing you have limited space to carry much of anything.
I was able to fit in this little car: my 4 children, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 3 rats (in a pillowcase) a few groceries so we wouldnt be hungry, a few clothes, blankets and folding chairs in case we needed them.
It was so nice to see the kids with smiles on their faces during this process. We left so fast none of us had a chance to shower or do our hair. We have no idea what lies before us yet they are smiling.
I want to give my thanks and appreciation to the Firefighters, Sheriffs and all those fighting to save our homes, this mountain and contain this fire.
Red Cross: Thank You for the voucher for temporary housing at a hotel in Fresno and for caring for our animals. Im told the rats are even being held and loved on in the shelter.
Alfredo was happy to see us visit.
Munchkin and McMuffin at the Red Cross shelter.
Savannah lifting her spirits with some donated stuffed animals.
The current sitation is this: The Creek Fire jumped the fireline yesterday and burned the 20 acres I was renting. I am unsure at this time if my home and belongings were saved. The water source for the home was a fresh gravity spring that was carried to the house through a plastic pipes which most likely burned up in the fire. Once the evacuation order is lifted we will lose our housing and the home will not be liveable until it has running water again. So we are being forced to relocate into Fresno which is a cost I wasnt expecting.
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Today I realized that the hardest thing for us humans to do is ASK FOR HELP. We'd rather suffer in silence and appear to be strong than to say, please help me. I have been displaced for almost 11 days and I have been staying strong the best I can for my children. But today I struggle.
I asked myself, What is this journey teaching me? This journey is teaching me to Let Go of material things, to Ask for Help, and accept that help.
I live my life helping those in need, (I work at a non-profit that feeds children for free) I feel the most comfortable helping others. So I step out of that comfort zone to say, Im struggling and WE NEED HELP!
In realizing that I needed to relocate to Fresno, I started looking for a suitable modest home. I have found a beautiful home that will be perfect for us. I was just notified that I was accepted for the lease and the security deposit and first months rent is due to sign the lease. Im struggling to gather up the funds to meet the amount needed as I wasnt planning on moving anytime soon.
Any funds you contribute will go directly toward meeting my family’s immediate needs for the extra expenses/ higher rent involved in leasing a new place to call home in the city, for the purchasing of essential items that will be needed to inhabit the home while we wait to see if we have any items to bring off the mountain, help with food, purchase of replacement clothing and shoes for myself and the kids. This will help us out so much as we begin the work of recovering from this disaster and creating a new safe home in the city to fill it with love, music, and wonderful NEW memories!
"A Journey Far Enough Away From Yourself, To Turn Around And See Yourself Whole, Yet Broken, Is the Closest To Yourself You Will Ever Be."
If you've read this far, I appreciate the time you have given. If it resonates with your heart to offer assistance in anyway, Thank You so very much. When we help others we are helping ourselves. We are one!
-Terra Priddy
On September 5th 2020, just before going to bed, the kids and I were outside our home staring in awe of the bright red sky off into the distance. The cover photo I posted for this fundraiser is not a filter this was how bright the flames lit up the night sky. Im a busy mother who doesnt watch any TV and I was unaware that the fire was so big and growing so fast. Thankfully the winds changed and the redness in the sky died down and the kids and I assumed all was well and that it was under control and we headed to bed.
As I wake up the next morning the smell of smoke filled the air in my room and my lungs were burning. It looked like i woke up on Mars. The sky was reddish orange and ominious looking. As I laid there trying to process what reality I was in, an alert came through on our phones that we needed to evacuate and get to safety. And thus started our journey of uncertainty. Its a weird thought process as you try and pack up the things you need knowing you have limited space to carry much of anything.
I was able to fit in this little car: my 4 children, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 3 rats (in a pillowcase) a few groceries so we wouldnt be hungry, a few clothes, blankets and folding chairs in case we needed them. It was so nice to see the kids with smiles on their faces during this process. We left so fast none of us had a chance to shower or do our hair. We have no idea what lies before us yet they are smiling. I want to give my thanks and appreciation to the Firefighters, Sheriffs and all those fighting to save our homes, this mountain and contain this fire.
Red Cross: Thank You for the voucher for temporary housing at a hotel in Fresno and for caring for our animals. Im told the rats are even being held and loved on in the shelter.
Alfredo was happy to see us visit. Munchkin and McMuffin at the Red Cross shelter.Savannah lifting her spirits with some donated stuffed animals. The current sitation is this: The Creek Fire jumped the fireline yesterday and burned the 20 acres I was renting. I am unsure at this time if my home and belongings were saved. The water source for the home was a fresh gravity spring that was carried to the house through a plastic pipes which most likely burned up in the fire. Once the evacuation order is lifted we will lose our housing and the home will not be liveable until it has running water again. So we are being forced to relocate into Fresno which is a cost I wasnt expecting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today I realized that the hardest thing for us humans to do is ASK FOR HELP. We'd rather suffer in silence and appear to be strong than to say, please help me. I have been displaced for almost 11 days and I have been staying strong the best I can for my children. But today I struggle.
I asked myself, What is this journey teaching me? This journey is teaching me to Let Go of material things, to Ask for Help, and accept that help.
I live my life helping those in need, (I work at a non-profit that feeds children for free) I feel the most comfortable helping others. So I step out of that comfort zone to say, Im struggling and WE NEED HELP!
In realizing that I needed to relocate to Fresno, I started looking for a suitable modest home. I have found a beautiful home that will be perfect for us. I was just notified that I was accepted for the lease and the security deposit and first months rent is due to sign the lease. Im struggling to gather up the funds to meet the amount needed as I wasnt planning on moving anytime soon.
Any funds you contribute will go directly toward meeting my family’s immediate needs for the extra expenses/ higher rent involved in leasing a new place to call home in the city, for the purchasing of essential items that will be needed to inhabit the home while we wait to see if we have any items to bring off the mountain, help with food, purchase of replacement clothing and shoes for myself and the kids. This will help us out so much as we begin the work of recovering from this disaster and creating a new safe home in the city to fill it with love, music, and wonderful NEW memories!
"A Journey Far Enough Away From Yourself, To Turn Around And See Yourself Whole, Yet Broken, Is the Closest To Yourself You Will Ever Be."
If you've read this far, I appreciate the time you have given. If it resonates with your heart to offer assistance in anyway, Thank You so very much. When we help others we are helping ourselves. We are one!
-Terra Priddy
Organizer
Terra Priddy
Organizer
Auberry, CA
