From out of the Ashes of Butte Fire
Donation protected
On Friday September 11, 2015 our Garden in the Woods organic vegetable business as well as our house that we built ourselves, and almost every thing we owned were lost in the Butte fire here in Mounain Ranch California. Many of our friends and neighbors have suffered similar tragedys. Our heart goes out to all of them.
It is not easy for us to ask for help. We are usually the ones to offer it. However we have found ourselves in serious need of assistance. Steve recently had knee surgery and was schedualed to have the second next week which we will have to post pone. Lori has fybro and has recently had an MRI sugeesting MS. Her scooter was destroyed in the fire as well. There is much work to be done in order to rebuild our home and community and we have the drive to be a part of that because we are Mountain Ranch strong.
Garden in the Woods Organic Ranch was founded by Lori and Steve Downing in 1989. We started improving the property and construction of our house that year. Over the years our garden grew. We raised our children here. We sold our produce, flowers and herbs to several local restaurants and wineries as well as at stands in Murphys and Mountain Ranch. We added soaps, candles and homemade crafts to our inventory. We produce vegetable plants from our heirloom seeds every year for our annual plant sale, and donate plants to local schools and community food banks.
Our vegetable business is our primary income. We will need to repair our well. It may take weeks for PG&E to replace poles and powerlines. We will have to purchase a generator, and then replace our greenhouse, and vegetable stand, purchase gardening supplies and tools to be ready for next season. We have an older fifthwheel trailer to call home for a while which we will move back on the property when the evacuation order is lifted. We are looking for a loan or donation of a small trailer for our youngest son Denin to live in on the property. Denin is attending Columbia College. We would greatly appreciate your help getting us back on our feet, so we can once again become productive members of the community that we are so proud to call home.
Some of our friends and family have told us they have mailed us a gift. We have not been able to get to our street or Post Office yet but would like to sincerely thank you in advance for your kindness and well wishes.
A Special thank you to Randi and Marie Frost (Liz's parents) for boarding all of us including our four dogs, 1 cat, 1 cockatail and three rescued three week old kittens, as well as Josh, Liz, alex and their two dogs.
P.S. free roasted peppers and smoked tomatoes while they last!
Always keep smiling.
It is not easy for us to ask for help. We are usually the ones to offer it. However we have found ourselves in serious need of assistance. Steve recently had knee surgery and was schedualed to have the second next week which we will have to post pone. Lori has fybro and has recently had an MRI sugeesting MS. Her scooter was destroyed in the fire as well. There is much work to be done in order to rebuild our home and community and we have the drive to be a part of that because we are Mountain Ranch strong.
Garden in the Woods Organic Ranch was founded by Lori and Steve Downing in 1989. We started improving the property and construction of our house that year. Over the years our garden grew. We raised our children here. We sold our produce, flowers and herbs to several local restaurants and wineries as well as at stands in Murphys and Mountain Ranch. We added soaps, candles and homemade crafts to our inventory. We produce vegetable plants from our heirloom seeds every year for our annual plant sale, and donate plants to local schools and community food banks.
Our vegetable business is our primary income. We will need to repair our well. It may take weeks for PG&E to replace poles and powerlines. We will have to purchase a generator, and then replace our greenhouse, and vegetable stand, purchase gardening supplies and tools to be ready for next season. We have an older fifthwheel trailer to call home for a while which we will move back on the property when the evacuation order is lifted. We are looking for a loan or donation of a small trailer for our youngest son Denin to live in on the property. Denin is attending Columbia College. We would greatly appreciate your help getting us back on our feet, so we can once again become productive members of the community that we are so proud to call home.
Some of our friends and family have told us they have mailed us a gift. We have not been able to get to our street or Post Office yet but would like to sincerely thank you in advance for your kindness and well wishes.
A Special thank you to Randi and Marie Frost (Liz's parents) for boarding all of us including our four dogs, 1 cat, 1 cockatail and three rescued three week old kittens, as well as Josh, Liz, alex and their two dogs.
P.S. free roasted peppers and smoked tomatoes while they last!
Always keep smiling.
Organizer
Lori Downing
Organizer
Mountain Ranch, CA
