James and Laurie Lost Everything

Like so many fire victims, James Walsh is uncomfortable asking others for help. But James and his disabled wife Laurie need help right now, so I’m writing on their behalf.

My name is Joanne Connell and I live in Alameda, CA. I am starting this GoFundMe campaign on behalf of the brother and sister-in-law of my close friend, Maureen Shandobil.

James and Laurie lost everything: Their clothes, their furniture, their phones, their computer, their TV, their medicine, their ID and of course of all their precious photographs. 

They rented a town house in Santa Rosa’s Fountaingrove neighborhood. Luckily, early that Monday morning when the fire roared through Fountaingrove, James' wife was out of the burn area visiting her mother. 

No warnings, no alarms, no sirens; just flames racing toward their home in the middle of the night. Even though James was disoriented and overcome by smoke, he managed to dial 911 on a landline. He only had time to grab one thing before he ran out the door: Parker, the family’s pet bunny. 


Fortunately police responded to James’ 911 call and found him sitting on a curb clutching his bunny. No shoes, no socks. There wasn’t time. 

Like other fire victims, James and Laurie need a roof over their head, and they need help rebuilding their lives. 

Any money raised will be used to help James and Laurie pay first and last month’s rent for a new home for them and their bunny, for  an old beater car to help get them around and for replacement furniture. 

Again, James Walsh does not like asking others for help. But he sure needs some now.

Thank you