The Latta Family Fire Relief Fund
Donation protected
On Sunday, November 11th, The Latta family lost everything - their beloved home, belongings, and cherished memories in the Woolsey Fire (however, the barn is still standing!). Not only has Shari lost her home where she lived with her family, but also her rental income. They had to leave their home in such a rush that they were only able to get out with their 5 dogs, cat, and clothes on their backs. Shari, Harper, her husband Devin, and their 3-yr-old son, Caleb are now displaced with no home to return to, no clothing, or any of the necessities. As a part of my extended family, I’ve put together this relief fund to help them get back on their feet, and in a position to start rebuilding their lives and home. Any little bit helps.
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Shari and Craig purchased the land at the top of Yerba Buena in the 70’s, and lived in a trailer for years without utilities so they could build their dream home in which to raise their daughters, Harper and Sydney. With dedication and persistence, Craig built the home from the ground up with the help of close friends and family. Craig helped save their home in the 1993 fires with only damage to the garage and the room above it. This was the place he loved the most, and after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, this was also the place he chose to spend his final moments surrounded by his family.
Shari loved when people would gather at the house - always having people coming and going, and she would take in and try to help anyone that was in need, animals included. So many memories and events, including enchilada Thanksgiving/Christmas, and the Fourth of July parties - this home was the place to be. Shari was also an active member in the Malibu community. She was the Pony Club leader of the Malibu chapter, and would constantly have AT LEAST a handful of kids she was shuttling around or keeping an eye on. Harper and Shari were presidents of Trancas Riders & Ropers for a number of years, and Shari would often be one of the first ones trying to help evacuate animals during the many fires we’ve experienced in our area.
Harper, as many of you know, is the social butterfly of Malibu. You’d be hard pressed to find someone in Malibu who doesn’t already know her. She has also been putting on the TR&R Halloween Shrimp Show since 2010, and continues to do so. Her husband Devin, works at the Trancas Starbucks and the Postal Annex as a notary, and would help at the horse shows too.
Sydney said: When evacuating you think you are prepared but in reality you are never fully prepared for a disaster of this magnitude. Not only is our home lost (including: daily items, shoes, clothes, furniture, pictures, artwork) but also all the items that associate memories (from the dried bouquet from Harper’s wedding to our holiday decorations, and the photo of our dad, Craig, in the sunset.) It wasn’t just “stuff”, it was our lives, it was our memories, it was our safe haven, our shelter, it was more than a house, it was a part of us and our history.
Oh behalf of Shari, Harper, Sydney, Devin, Brandon, Willow, and Caleb: they are so beyond appreciative and deeply humbled by all the love and support they have already, and continue, to receive from everyone.
Thank you can’t even begin to encompass it, but it’s a start. So, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!!
*Shari & Craig as they were building their home*
*Sydney, Brandon, Devin, Harper, Mickey, & Shari in the dining room*
*Harper, Caleb, Willow, Sydney, Shari , & Brandon*
*Sydney, Harper, Willow, & Caleb on Nugget down at the barn*
*The last photo they were able to take of their home*
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Shari and Craig purchased the land at the top of Yerba Buena in the 70’s, and lived in a trailer for years without utilities so they could build their dream home in which to raise their daughters, Harper and Sydney. With dedication and persistence, Craig built the home from the ground up with the help of close friends and family. Craig helped save their home in the 1993 fires with only damage to the garage and the room above it. This was the place he loved the most, and after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, this was also the place he chose to spend his final moments surrounded by his family.
Shari loved when people would gather at the house - always having people coming and going, and she would take in and try to help anyone that was in need, animals included. So many memories and events, including enchilada Thanksgiving/Christmas, and the Fourth of July parties - this home was the place to be. Shari was also an active member in the Malibu community. She was the Pony Club leader of the Malibu chapter, and would constantly have AT LEAST a handful of kids she was shuttling around or keeping an eye on. Harper and Shari were presidents of Trancas Riders & Ropers for a number of years, and Shari would often be one of the first ones trying to help evacuate animals during the many fires we’ve experienced in our area.
Harper, as many of you know, is the social butterfly of Malibu. You’d be hard pressed to find someone in Malibu who doesn’t already know her. She has also been putting on the TR&R Halloween Shrimp Show since 2010, and continues to do so. Her husband Devin, works at the Trancas Starbucks and the Postal Annex as a notary, and would help at the horse shows too.
Sydney said: When evacuating you think you are prepared but in reality you are never fully prepared for a disaster of this magnitude. Not only is our home lost (including: daily items, shoes, clothes, furniture, pictures, artwork) but also all the items that associate memories (from the dried bouquet from Harper’s wedding to our holiday decorations, and the photo of our dad, Craig, in the sunset.) It wasn’t just “stuff”, it was our lives, it was our memories, it was our safe haven, our shelter, it was more than a house, it was a part of us and our history.
Oh behalf of Shari, Harper, Sydney, Devin, Brandon, Willow, and Caleb: they are so beyond appreciative and deeply humbled by all the love and support they have already, and continue, to receive from everyone.
Thank you can’t even begin to encompass it, but it’s a start. So, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!!
*Shari & Craig as they were building their home**Sydney, Brandon, Devin, Harper, Mickey, & Shari in the dining room**Harper, Caleb, Willow, Sydney, Shari , & Brandon**Sydney, Harper, Willow, & Caleb on Nugget down at the barn**The last photo they were able to take of their home*Organizer and beneficiary
Alexandra Leiser
Organizer
Malibu, CA
Shari Bernath-Latta
Beneficiary