Smash Mountain Reconstruction Fund
Donation protected
As many of you have already heard, our great friends Bryan Manternach, a.k.a. Smash, and Carl Norden, a.k.a. Dragon, have just lost their home in the Boulder Creek part of the Lightning Complex fires that have devastated so many in the area. Fortunately, both they and all of their pets were able to get out safely but most everything else is likely a total loss.
They have both been there for many of us in our times of need, including their years of service to the same community they live in now as volunteer firefighters, so now it is our turn to repay that generosity.
While insurance will help with some things, this will help with what insurance won't cover.
There are other ways that you might be able to help as well. For instance, they are looking for a house to rent in the area while they rebuild. If you have that, please either contact them directly or let me know so I can put you in touch with them.
For those that know them, you know how special they are to so many.
For those who have been to their home over the years, you know how much it was truly a special place with many, many incredible memories for all who visited. For those who never had the chance, this is your opportunity to help them rebuild so that it's even better than before.
Note that, at some point, this campaign will end and people wishing to help will then be directed towards other gofundme campaigns and/or other groups and charities local to Boulder Creek that also need help right now. That point has not yet been determined, though, as they are just starting to deal with things like insurance, etc.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me and I'll do my best to get you an answer.
To those that have already helped, I cannot begin to express how grateful we all are, and yes even a bit overwhelmed, for your generosity. That just goes to show you how amazing both of them are.
Now, to address some questions that come from gofundme directly. Sadly, it seems that there are people who will attempt to take advantage of situations like this for less than charitable purposes. To that end, they are asking that I post some additional information here to help ensure anyone donating to this cause that it is legitimate.
1. My name is John Lewis and live in San Jose, California which is about a 45 minute-ish drive from where their house used to be.
2. I have known Bryan and Carl for almost 25 years and consider them very close friends.
3. This is the hardest question to answer which is, "How the funds will be spent?" I'll address that more below.
4. 100% of the funds are going into an account that they are setting up specifically for the purpose of receiving it all. It will take them a little while to get it set up, though, since things like finding a place to live while their house is being rebuilt is a slightly higher priority at the moment. Until then, the money will be staying here.
Now, back to the third question.
Since the fires are still burning and the roads are still closed, they haven't even had a chance to see what, if anything, can be salvaged from their house. To that end, it's simply too soon to say specifically what the money will be used for. As stated above, they are going to keep the money from this campaign isolated in a separate account until they can at least start to see where it would be the most help.
I would encourage anyone wanting to get additional information from either myself, or by contacting Bryan and Carl directly, to verify this is legitimate and all of the funds are going to them directly and into an account that they have sole control over.
Hopefully that will answer the questions that have been asked by the gofundme Trust&Safety team. I don't fault them for asking since this sort of situation is, sadly, an opportunity for some to scam others.
To all those who have donated, again, thank you from the bottom of my heart, and theirs as well. They are overwhelmed by all that has happened but knowing how many out there care for them is helping. Please continue to keep them in your hearts and spread this campaign around.
Again, thank you.
They have both been there for many of us in our times of need, including their years of service to the same community they live in now as volunteer firefighters, so now it is our turn to repay that generosity.
While insurance will help with some things, this will help with what insurance won't cover.
There are other ways that you might be able to help as well. For instance, they are looking for a house to rent in the area while they rebuild. If you have that, please either contact them directly or let me know so I can put you in touch with them.
For those that know them, you know how special they are to so many.
For those who have been to their home over the years, you know how much it was truly a special place with many, many incredible memories for all who visited. For those who never had the chance, this is your opportunity to help them rebuild so that it's even better than before.
Note that, at some point, this campaign will end and people wishing to help will then be directed towards other gofundme campaigns and/or other groups and charities local to Boulder Creek that also need help right now. That point has not yet been determined, though, as they are just starting to deal with things like insurance, etc.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me and I'll do my best to get you an answer.
To those that have already helped, I cannot begin to express how grateful we all are, and yes even a bit overwhelmed, for your generosity. That just goes to show you how amazing both of them are.
Now, to address some questions that come from gofundme directly. Sadly, it seems that there are people who will attempt to take advantage of situations like this for less than charitable purposes. To that end, they are asking that I post some additional information here to help ensure anyone donating to this cause that it is legitimate.
1. My name is John Lewis and live in San Jose, California which is about a 45 minute-ish drive from where their house used to be.
2. I have known Bryan and Carl for almost 25 years and consider them very close friends.
3. This is the hardest question to answer which is, "How the funds will be spent?" I'll address that more below.
4. 100% of the funds are going into an account that they are setting up specifically for the purpose of receiving it all. It will take them a little while to get it set up, though, since things like finding a place to live while their house is being rebuilt is a slightly higher priority at the moment. Until then, the money will be staying here.
Now, back to the third question.
Since the fires are still burning and the roads are still closed, they haven't even had a chance to see what, if anything, can be salvaged from their house. To that end, it's simply too soon to say specifically what the money will be used for. As stated above, they are going to keep the money from this campaign isolated in a separate account until they can at least start to see where it would be the most help.
I would encourage anyone wanting to get additional information from either myself, or by contacting Bryan and Carl directly, to verify this is legitimate and all of the funds are going to them directly and into an account that they have sole control over.
Hopefully that will answer the questions that have been asked by the gofundme Trust&Safety team. I don't fault them for asking since this sort of situation is, sadly, an opportunity for some to scam others.
To all those who have donated, again, thank you from the bottom of my heart, and theirs as well. They are overwhelmed by all that has happened but knowing how many out there care for them is helping. Please continue to keep them in your hearts and spread this campaign around.
Again, thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
John Lewis
Organizer
San Jose, CA
Bryan Manternach
Beneficiary
Begin your fundraising journey
