On October 15, during a PG&E power outage, an unimaginable tragedy struck Carrie Graham and her family.

During the outage, a generator malfunction led to a devastating fire at their home in Arnold. Tragically, Carrie’s father was inside the home and did not survive. He was a veteran, a father, a grandfather, and a deeply loved member of their family.

The family also lost many of their beloved pets in the fire. They are now grieving the loss of their father and grandfather, their pets who were part of their family, their home, and virtually everything they owned.

This tragedy has affected their entire family. Carrie, her children, her brother, and her longtime partner are all trying to process an unimaginable amount of loss at once.

For those who know Carrie, you know what an incredible person she is. Carrie has dedicated years of her life to caring for children and families in our community. She previously served as an Extended Day Site Supervisor at Mark Twain Elementary in Angels Camp and is currently the Site Supervisor at Hazel Fischer Elementary in Arnold. Through her work, she has cared for and supported countless local children and families.

Carrie is one of the kindest, most compassionate and genuinely beautiful souls I have ever met. Family means everything to her—and with Carrie, family isn’t limited to the people she is related to. Once she brings you into her life and considers you family, she is there for you. She loves fiercely, gives endlessly, and is the person people can count on when life gets hard.

Carrie’s own family has already endured so much.

Her son is a cancer survivor whose battle with cancer left him permanently disabled, including the loss of his eyesight and ongoing struggles with mobility.

Carrie’s longtime partner, James, suffered a stroke last year and has also battled cancer, leaving him with significant mobility challenges.

As if all of this were not enough, Carrie underwent foot surgery just one day before the fire. She should be recovering and allowing others to care for her. Instead, while dealing with her own pain and limited mobility, she is grieving her father, mourning the loss of their pets, facing the loss of their home, and trying to hold together the family she loves more than anything.

Through cancer, disability, medical emergencies, and every challenge life has put in front of them, Carrie has continued to be the caretaker—the person holding everyone together.

Last year, after working incredibly hard, they purchased their home in Arnold. It was supposed to be a place of stability, safety, and new memories for a family that had already overcome so much.

Now it is gone.

But this tragedy is about far more than losing a house or possessions. Their father and grandfather cannot be replaced. Their beloved pets cannot be replaced. The photographs, keepsakes, memories, and pieces of their lives inside that home cannot simply be replaced.

This family now has to grieve while also figuring out where they will live, replacing basic necessities, and continuing to manage significant medical and accessibility needs.

We are asking our community to help carry some of that burden.

Donations will help with temporary housing, clothing, food, basic necessities, funeral and memorial expenses, medical and accessibility needs, replacement household items, and the many unexpected expenses that come with suddenly losing everything.

No donation is too small. If you cannot donate, please share this fundraiser. Sharing their story is another incredibly meaningful way to help.

A little about who I am

My name is Chellsea Hill. Carrie started out as my boss at CCOE, but somewhere along the way, Carrie and her family became part of my family and my children’s family. We have spent holidays together, gone on vacations together, celebrated together, and walked through some incredibly difficult times together.

Carrie has gotten me through more hard moments than I could ever put into words. That is who she is. When Carrie considers you family, she shows up—and she stays.

Carrie and her entire family mean so much to me and my children. Now, during one of the darkest moments of their lives, I want to show up for them the way Carrie has always shown up for us.

If Carrie or her family have ever touched your life, please donate if you are able and, most importantly, please share their story.

Carrie has spent her life taking care of everyone else.

Now it’s our turn to help take care of Carrie and the family she loves more than anything. ❤️

— Chellsea Hill