Dear family, friends, and caring strangers,

August 8th was a day of unimaginable devastation due to a fast-moving, uncontrollable brush fire that swept through Lahaina, a picturesque town on the island of Maui. It was a relief to finally hear that my friend, Lisa Jones, made it out alive, but like so many other survivors of the fire, her experience is a harrowing tale. In just a matter of hours, she went from contemplating what to do on an unexpected day off due to a power outage to contemplating jumping into the ocean with her dog, Chloe, to escape a wall of fire blazing towards her on Front Street.

Miracle of miracles, a truck appeared and got them to safety.

She and Chloe are safe at a friend’s place, thankfully, but outside her phone and the clothes on her back, she has lost everything. The photo of rubble and ash above is all that’s left of her house and worldly possessions.

Lisa is a big-hearted person who is accustomed to being the helper (in fact, just yesterday she was out there negotiating tents and water for those less fortunate than her), and she initially declined my offer to set up a fundraiser. On the premise that “It takes a village,” she finally agreed and plans to use donations to help the community as a whole, fur babies included.

Please help my sweet friend rebuild not just homes, but hope as well, for she and the other survivors in Lahaina.

My deepest gratitude goes out to all those who help, and truly, there is no donation too small.

It does indeed take a village: let’s show Lahaina that the village extends beyond their border.