The Huerta Family Camp Fire Fund
Donación protegida
Two days ago, a massive wildfire ripped through my hometown of Paradise, California. It was quick, growing to 70, 000 acres in less than 24 hours. My parents have lived in the Paradise-Magalia area since 1991. My sister Lindsay and I grew up in Paradise, elementary, intermediate and high school all in this small town of 27,000. Many of the businesses and homes that we've known our whole lives are gone. The entire town was wiped out.
My parents and our Grandpa made it out of the town just in time, dodging falling trees as flames licked the sides of the road. They are all safe and sound at a relative's home in Chico, just down the hill. However, our childhood home was not spared in the flames. We haven't been allowed up to the home yet to assess damages, but a friend in the media was able to send photos of what used to be our home for 23 years. We do not know if Grandpa's house is still standing.
Yes, things are just things. And we are ever so grateful and lucky that everyone is safe and alive. However, there is a lot of rebuilding to do now. A lot of common everyday items are gone, a lot of important memories.
For us, we've lost more than our home. We've lost our entire community. The grocery store my mom buys the weekly groceries at. The elementary school we attended. Parts of the hospital I worked at as a sleep technician and respiratory therapist. Homes of our friends, their families, our neighbors.
Paradise is a small, tight-knit community. A lot of elderly folks and low-income families call Paradise home. We don't even know where to begin and how to cope with this. One day at a time.
I have received hundreds of messages on all platforms of social media and texting and calls from friends all over the country about how they can help. If they can help my family directly. I appreciate it so much, and though I'm sure my parents would vehemently refuse all things, I know that it's needed and I know they will find it touching regardless.
They had homeowner's insurance, we will be able to recover and come back from this, but I know that having some comforts available immediately is always helpful.
If you don't want to give money, you may also send gift cards. You may message me on here and I will give you my address in Sacramento. We do not have a PO Box set up for them yet.
If you're in OKC, my best friend Danielle Barber is collecting gift cards there. Please get in touch with her on Facebook. Thank you.
All funds raised that are not needed by my family will be donated to other families in Paradise or a local animal shelter. I will be stopping by Sam's club to pick up more supplies to donate as well.
My parents and our Grandpa made it out of the town just in time, dodging falling trees as flames licked the sides of the road. They are all safe and sound at a relative's home in Chico, just down the hill. However, our childhood home was not spared in the flames. We haven't been allowed up to the home yet to assess damages, but a friend in the media was able to send photos of what used to be our home for 23 years. We do not know if Grandpa's house is still standing.
Yes, things are just things. And we are ever so grateful and lucky that everyone is safe and alive. However, there is a lot of rebuilding to do now. A lot of common everyday items are gone, a lot of important memories.
For us, we've lost more than our home. We've lost our entire community. The grocery store my mom buys the weekly groceries at. The elementary school we attended. Parts of the hospital I worked at as a sleep technician and respiratory therapist. Homes of our friends, their families, our neighbors.
Paradise is a small, tight-knit community. A lot of elderly folks and low-income families call Paradise home. We don't even know where to begin and how to cope with this. One day at a time.
I have received hundreds of messages on all platforms of social media and texting and calls from friends all over the country about how they can help. If they can help my family directly. I appreciate it so much, and though I'm sure my parents would vehemently refuse all things, I know that it's needed and I know they will find it touching regardless.
They had homeowner's insurance, we will be able to recover and come back from this, but I know that having some comforts available immediately is always helpful.
If you don't want to give money, you may also send gift cards. You may message me on here and I will give you my address in Sacramento. We do not have a PO Box set up for them yet.
If you're in OKC, my best friend Danielle Barber is collecting gift cards there. Please get in touch with her on Facebook. Thank you.
All funds raised that are not needed by my family will be donated to other families in Paradise or a local animal shelter. I will be stopping by Sam's club to pick up more supplies to donate as well.
Organizador
Rachael Taylor
Organizador
Paradise, CA
