Ruderman Boston Family Fire Recovery
Donation protected
On Tuesday, August 18, 2020 the CZU Lighting Complex fire devastated the community of Last Chance road in Santa Cruz County. The Ruderman Boston family saw flames across the ridge getting closer and decided to evacuate with their young daughter to avoid smoke danger. Cars packed for just the night, they left.
Hours later, mandatory evacuations meant they could no longer return to collect anything else. They were unprepared that it was the last time they'd ever see their home. Today, there is nothing to return to. As of now, my darling cousin, uncle, and their family have nothing but what they carried out.
Their homes, their community, a magical, hand built collection of residences - where Lily and her dad Howard have spent the past 40 years, are simply gone. The vision of raising a third generation in one of their historic hand built family homes, with Lily and Levi's two year old daughter Shamira, is in smoke. They are devastated.
Your donation will help Lily, Levi, Shamira and Howard rebuild their lives and chart their next path. Thank you to all who have asked how you can help.
A note about the organizer:
My name is Summers McKay and I am Lily's cousin. I have spent countless summers, magical springs, and more than a holiday season or two on Last Chance with The Rudermans and now Ruderman Boston Family. Some of my most cherished memories are of my time on Last Chance, learning about the woods, hiking through the forest, finding newts, eating fresh made pesto with basil from Lily's family garden. Watching Shamira grow for the past two years in the Last Chance community was an inspiring gift, reminding me of my own childhood. I was delighted to plan to bring my own little one, now a year old, to visit this fall and play as Lily and I did in the mountains of Santa Cruz. Like many, I grew and expanded on Last Chance and am heartbroken for their loss. Thank you for all who contribute to helping them rebuild their lives in this tragic time.
Love,
Summers
Hours later, mandatory evacuations meant they could no longer return to collect anything else. They were unprepared that it was the last time they'd ever see their home. Today, there is nothing to return to. As of now, my darling cousin, uncle, and their family have nothing but what they carried out.
Their homes, their community, a magical, hand built collection of residences - where Lily and her dad Howard have spent the past 40 years, are simply gone. The vision of raising a third generation in one of their historic hand built family homes, with Lily and Levi's two year old daughter Shamira, is in smoke. They are devastated.
Your donation will help Lily, Levi, Shamira and Howard rebuild their lives and chart their next path. Thank you to all who have asked how you can help.
A note about the organizer:
My name is Summers McKay and I am Lily's cousin. I have spent countless summers, magical springs, and more than a holiday season or two on Last Chance with The Rudermans and now Ruderman Boston Family. Some of my most cherished memories are of my time on Last Chance, learning about the woods, hiking through the forest, finding newts, eating fresh made pesto with basil from Lily's family garden. Watching Shamira grow for the past two years in the Last Chance community was an inspiring gift, reminding me of my own childhood. I was delighted to plan to bring my own little one, now a year old, to visit this fall and play as Lily and I did in the mountains of Santa Cruz. Like many, I grew and expanded on Last Chance and am heartbroken for their loss. Thank you for all who contribute to helping them rebuild their lives in this tragic time.
Love,
Summers
Organizer and beneficiary
Summers McKay
Organizer
Oxnard, CA
Lily Ruderman
Beneficiary
Raised $2,803 from 15 donations
