My name is Erin O'Fallon, one of Donna’s granddaughters, and I am writing on behalf of the entire O'Fallon Family.  

I want to start off by saying how much we appreciate this community’s concern and responsiveness to the fire that took the family home.  I have always been proud to be from Santee (East County), but there are no words to describe how proud I have been these past 3 days.  Our hearts are full of gratitude for the brave first responders, Santee-Lakeside and San Miguel Fire Departments, Sherriff's Department, and incredible neighbors for their life saving help. 

I'd like to give you a VERY brief back story of this amazing woman....

Don and Donna O'Fallon were childhood sweethearts in Kenmare, North Dakota. They married in 1955 in Kenmare where they raised 5 children.  Their 5 children gave them 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

In 1988 they moved to Santee, California from Minot, North Dakota.  A few of their children followed with their families, and made their homes in Santee and El Cajon.  In 2001 after a long battle with lung cancer, Don passed away in the family home surrounded by those who continue to love him dearly.  Their daughter Kayla, and Grandson David live with Donna and continue to care for her and the family home.

Donna is one of the strongest and toughest women we’ve all been blessed to have in our lives.  She is our rock and the foundation of our family.  Her home is a second home to all of us, and many friends who’ve become our family.  This home was our safe haven during the fires in 2003 and 2007, and the place we all knew as our safe-zone.  In a twist of fate, a fire is what devastated her home on March 16th, 2016.  Not only did this fire take their clothes, shoes, food, beds, and literally the roof over their heads, it also claimed the lives of David’s beloved Dachshund Marley and the family cat TJ, whom can never be replaced.  Marley and TJ were David, Kayla and Donna’s constant companions; always by their sides, and loved them unconditionally. (We all love you sweet Mar-Mar and Princess)

Any monetary donations received will to be used to bring some sort of normalcy back to the lives of Donna, Kayla and David. Donations will be used to buy clothes, shoes, toiletries, etc. Many of the items in the home were irreplaceable, but we’re all ready to move forward and rebuild the wonderful lives Don and Donna created for our family.

There are no words to explain how much this means to our family. From the bottom of our hearts we thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and help that is offered.

God Bless.

The O'Fallon Family