Sister Lost House in Fire

My Sister Anita and her husband Tony Dominguez grew up in San Diego area and recently have lived in Paradise, just east of Chico, CA. They both just retired. She had most recently worked at a local gardening center and he was a bus driver for Butte College, and also was a volunteer firefighter.

On Nov. 8, 2018, Tony smelled smoke and started to prepare his house like they have in previous fires by cleaning debris rain gutters and the like, but the fire moved too fast. Within minutes, burning embers were flying everywhere. They grabbed some photo albums and evacuated, not having time to really get anything else except for the clothes they were wearing. They were able to save two cats, but were helpless as they watched their investment and plan for retirement disappear. The only thing left at that address is the fireplace chimney. My sister was both crying and nearly vomiting.

This is going to be extremely hard for them as they were living on a limited fixed income and still had house payments. My goal is to get them some cash they can use to buy some essentials, such as clothes and food and to allow them to find lodging for the next few days and perhaps weeks. The entire town was erased from the map.

They have two daughters, one who just got married and still had many things -- including two new bicycles and other wedding gifts -- stored at this house as they started their new life in a small apartment near Sacramento. The other daughter lives in Carlsbad and just had her second child.

Please join me in helping my sister and her husband through this devastating event!

-- Ray Lutz