My brother and sister-in-law's neighborhood has been decimated in the California Wildfires, but somehow their house is still standing. Peter, Laura, Briggs, and Lux have very bittersweet feelings. We feel like it’s a miracle their house is standing, but feelings of guilt are very present as it seems so random who was spared. It looks like an apocalyptic war zone.
So many of their close friends and families lost everything. It will be years and years before they can rebuild. The entire Palisades and eastern Malibu community will be fighting for resources that are already sparse.
For Peter, Laura, Briggs, and Lux, it will be a very long road before they can get back in their home. The area will be toxic for a long time, and the infrastructure of utilities is massively destroyed. It’s a shell of its existence.
For the Geraghtys, their damage is minimal comparatively, and considering the fire was up against their house, but it's still significant:
- Laura's office/art studio burned down, as well as the fence, tree house, stairs to the hillside, corner of the garage, and other areas on the property
- Damage to the house and windows on the backside will need to be replaced
- Everything inside is severely smoke damaged, so anything cloth/fabric will be trashed
- The entire hillside surrounding the house is bald, so the next fear is mudslides.
The reality that their beloved neighborhood with all the kids, families, bus to school, and elderly that have lived there since it was built... will never be the same again. It’s beyond heartbreaking.
They are definitely the lucky ones, but they have all lost their communities, which feels like everything.
Laura and Peter did not want us to start this GoFundMe. They feel it's inappropriate compared to others since their house didn't actually burn down, but the reality is that insurance won’t cover everything, and we want to help cover some of the costs outside of insurance.
It's going to be a long and expensive road ahead. Thank you for anything you can give!
Sending Love,
The Geraghty Family
Organized by Caitlin, Dennis, Arlene and their families
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GoFundMe requires the following for Transparency.
1. Who you are: Caitlin Geraghty Conn
2. Where you're from: I am from Waterford, VA. This fundraiser is supporting my brother and his family in California.
3. Your relationship to the parties you're raising funds for: I am Peter's sister
4. How the funds will be spent (be specific as possible): Uncovered expenses like temporary housing, essentials, and recovery.
Organizer and beneficiary
Laura Geraghty
Beneficiary