Vicki Tovey - Camp Fire Relief

The photos above are a before/after of our family home at 6433 Beechwood Dr. in Paradise, CA. It was completely destroyed in the Camp Fire that swept through town. It's hard to register what this loss means emotionally to our family. We were all raised in this house. My Dad lived in this house until his death until 2011, his widow Becky lived there for years after, my youngest sister Vicki lived there alone for several years until Thursday, Nov. 8th.

That morning she left for work for the last time. She wasn't able to return before evacuating. Vicki works up Skyway at Heritage Paradise (a senior nursing facility) when the evacuation orders came through and she helped evacuate the elderly patients there. Then she got in her car, all alone, with very little gas, and headed out of town via Skyway... in gridlocked traffic, over downed power lines, around abandoned cars and debris... and literally through flames. She relates how as she passed by Boquest (the street leading to our neighborhood) she was faced with stopping to retrieve a few things, knowing it could be the last time she saw the house, or continuing to flee. She chose the latter because she knew that's what we would urging her to do. She made it down the hill, coasting on fumes, to Chico. She got safely to our sister Jen's house and was reunited with her cat that a neighbor was able to rescue.

We held out hope that our family home would get skipped but Friday morning we got confirmation (via the above photo) that it was gone. An insurance claim has been filed to recoup the loss of the home and all belongings and we're hopeful that will come through quickly and fairly. However, Vicki is now staying (thankfully) with Jen in the camping trailer in her driveway. (Jen's house is packed with children and dogs!) She's very grateful for these accommodations, (many have none) but she will need to find a new residence soon. Her employer confirmed that she no longer has a job. Vicki is anxious about getting back to work and restarting a normal life gain.

Currently, and for the foreseeable future, housing and jobs in Chico (with all of the Paradise refugees) is a dire situation. Vicki is planning on searching for a new home somewhere in northern California to permanently resettle. She's going to start over again... new town, new home, new job, new clothes, etc.

We are asking for funds and support for the following use:

    • 4-6 months of living expenses while she looks for a new job.
    • Move-in expenses for a new apartment in a new town; deposit, first & last month's rent, etc.
    • Emergency medical or other necessities.

Overall, we want to make sure Vicki is not just covered for the bare minimum, but that she comfortably won't have to worry about income for a while. Sidenote: She is traumatized and refuses to look at any photos of the house or damage of Paradise. The loss has been quite overwhelming for her.

Many of our friends and extended family have asked how they can help and this is the best option we can think of. Please donate and share. We know there are many GoFundMe's circulating and we encourage you to donate generously according to your means and conscience; if not this campaign than please support another.

Thank you!
Tovey Family