Wildfire Survivors Daria Land & Bob Metternich
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Wildfire Relief Fund for Survivor Daria Land & Bob Metternich
Please help Daria Land and her partner Bob Metternich rebuild their lives after the catastrophic Almeda Fire.
On September 8, 2020, the Almeda Fire tore through Talent, Oregon and essentially decimated the town. Much like what happened in Paradise, CA. Here is what Daria shared about that day.
Daria was working from home and was able to grab her dog Ruby, some dog food, her computer, and the clothing on her back. Instead of packing up as many belongings as she could she chose to knock on neighbor’s doors and called those who she knew were away to save neighbors and animals. Once she had a small caravan of neighbors, she took the lead car to find a creative way out from the fire with gridlocked traffic and people stuck with approaching fire. All while Bob was making every effort to get to Talent from his job at RoxyAnn Winery in Medford, OR to help her.
Daria and Bob were finally able to meet outside the town and chose to make their way back into Talent to see if they could save their home and possibly more neighbors. After tirelessly trying to fight for their house, the change in 45mph wind patterns, the roar and intense heat of 40-foot flames sent them fleeing with Ruby once again.
Attempting to get out of Talent this time was almost impossible, and they were forced to drive through the next town north, Phoenix, OR that by this time was completely engulfed. With fire on both sides of them, it felt like their tires were going to melt and the intensity of the heat inside the cars felt like they were on fire themselves. Daria said to me, “I didn’t think we were going to make it out the second time.”
I am putting this GoFundMe page together to help support Daria getting back on her feet and to help secure the process of starting over for both. Bob and she have lost EVERTYHING. A lifetime of hard work, a home they deeply loved and all memorabilia and heirlooms.
At first Daria resisted my offer, but once the gravity of her loss set in, she finally agreed. She has come to realize that with so many people displaced, and homes gone, she will most likely not be able to rebuild for 2 to 3 years. And will need to rely heavily on the support of others.
Daria is a pillar of the community, serving as an elected Talent City Councilor, board member for Talent’s Urban Renewal Agency and is the Executive Director of the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market. Even today as I reached out to her, she was meeting with FEMA in her neighborhood, helping secure large holding containers for potable water and her and Bob were volunteering at a resource command center for residents in need.
As a vendor at the Growers Market, this is how I first met Daria. I have watched firsthand how she tirelessly serves both the City of Talent and our Growers Market. Daria mentors our market vendors and promotes each vendor personally and through the media. A total of 158 businesses depend on her, especially during such difficult and challenging times with the Covid-19 pandemic. My business has grown substantially because of her guidance.
Now is our time to give back to someone who has given us so much. Please give what you can, any amount will make a difference and please share this campaign with your co-workers, family, and friends.
With sincere gratitude,
Jo Cullumbine
To see her former home and the devistation in the wake of the Almeda Fire, please click here if you have Facebook. If not, please click here .
Please help Daria Land and her partner Bob Metternich rebuild their lives after the catastrophic Almeda Fire.
On September 8, 2020, the Almeda Fire tore through Talent, Oregon and essentially decimated the town. Much like what happened in Paradise, CA. Here is what Daria shared about that day.
Daria was working from home and was able to grab her dog Ruby, some dog food, her computer, and the clothing on her back. Instead of packing up as many belongings as she could she chose to knock on neighbor’s doors and called those who she knew were away to save neighbors and animals. Once she had a small caravan of neighbors, she took the lead car to find a creative way out from the fire with gridlocked traffic and people stuck with approaching fire. All while Bob was making every effort to get to Talent from his job at RoxyAnn Winery in Medford, OR to help her.
Daria and Bob were finally able to meet outside the town and chose to make their way back into Talent to see if they could save their home and possibly more neighbors. After tirelessly trying to fight for their house, the change in 45mph wind patterns, the roar and intense heat of 40-foot flames sent them fleeing with Ruby once again.
Attempting to get out of Talent this time was almost impossible, and they were forced to drive through the next town north, Phoenix, OR that by this time was completely engulfed. With fire on both sides of them, it felt like their tires were going to melt and the intensity of the heat inside the cars felt like they were on fire themselves. Daria said to me, “I didn’t think we were going to make it out the second time.”
I am putting this GoFundMe page together to help support Daria getting back on her feet and to help secure the process of starting over for both. Bob and she have lost EVERTYHING. A lifetime of hard work, a home they deeply loved and all memorabilia and heirlooms.
At first Daria resisted my offer, but once the gravity of her loss set in, she finally agreed. She has come to realize that with so many people displaced, and homes gone, she will most likely not be able to rebuild for 2 to 3 years. And will need to rely heavily on the support of others.
Daria is a pillar of the community, serving as an elected Talent City Councilor, board member for Talent’s Urban Renewal Agency and is the Executive Director of the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market. Even today as I reached out to her, she was meeting with FEMA in her neighborhood, helping secure large holding containers for potable water and her and Bob were volunteering at a resource command center for residents in need.
As a vendor at the Growers Market, this is how I first met Daria. I have watched firsthand how she tirelessly serves both the City of Talent and our Growers Market. Daria mentors our market vendors and promotes each vendor personally and through the media. A total of 158 businesses depend on her, especially during such difficult and challenging times with the Covid-19 pandemic. My business has grown substantially because of her guidance.
Now is our time to give back to someone who has given us so much. Please give what you can, any amount will make a difference and please share this campaign with your co-workers, family, and friends.
With sincere gratitude,
Jo Cullumbine
To see her former home and the devistation in the wake of the Almeda Fire, please click here if you have Facebook. If not, please click here .
Organizer and beneficiary
Jo Cullumbine
Organizer
Talent, OR
Daria Land
Beneficiary