The Winkler’s were able to save precious little before their house burned down. Steve and Sokchean rushed home from vacation with their 10-year-old son, Sam, one day before the fire hit to collect what they could. In the end, they evacuated with some clothes, some pictures, some toys. Everything else – furniture, musical instruments, tools, all the small things of daily life – burned on the night of August 19 as part of the SCU Lightening Fire Complex.

Given the increasing challenge of affording fire insurance in rural California, Steve and Sok did not have coverage. Nor do they qualify, for now, for any assistance from FEMA because the SCU Lightening Fire Complex was not included in the federal disaster declaration.

This Go Fund Me was set up by the Winkler’s friends and neighbors in response to the total loss of everything they owned. Our goal is to raise enough money for them to get their SEPTIC, WELL and SOLAR they lost up and running. This will allow them to live on the property maybe in an RV so they can rebuild.

The Winkler’s big barn was a landmark for residents of Callahan Gulch and Corral Hollow, two neighborhoods sitting back to back along the border of rural Alameda and San Joaquin county. Even people who didn’t know Steve and Sokchean knew their barn, perched on the top of the ridge against the backdrop of blue California sky.   

Some of you might know this family. Their son Sam Winkler goes to Arroyo Seco here in Livermore. (They are the dusty car family to those of you in the know).

They will have a long road ahead of them but with your help, at least it may be a little less bumpy.   
Thank you in advance for your support. Small acts of kindness by many people can achieve great things.