HOW TO HELP WEST FIRE SURVIVORS IN ALPINE

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By Miriam Raftery

July 14, 2018 (Alpine) – Many of our readers have been asking how to help people who lost homes in the West Fire in Alpine earlier this month.  Several organizations are helping out and GoFundMe pages have also been set up for some of the families.

Alpine Christian Fellowship has established a West Fire relief fund that is accepting financial donations.  You can also sign up to volunteer to help with debris clean up, supply distribution, food and water, pet care, child care, spiritual care, or transportation.

A Fire Victim Supply Post has been set up at Boulder Oaks Elementary (2320 Tavern Rd., Alpine) where you can donate and drop off supplies to help fire survivors such as clothing, clean-up supplies, non-perishable food items and household goods.  For more info please call or text Margo at 619-876-8713 or Stephanie at 619-573-5638.

Keller Williams Realty has started a fund to help West Fire survivors and is also accepting donations of immediate relief supplies at three locations in Alpine and El Cajon. Details are at their GoFundMe link.

Below are other  GoFundMe sites set up to help specific individuals and families who lost homes in the West Fire. While some have already raised tens of thousands of dollars, other have nearly no donations. Please help our neighbors in need.

Suzanna Ohanassian: Uninsured  cancer survivor

The manager of the Alpine Oaks Estates mobile home park, where 10 homes were lost, says Suzanna Ohanassian is one of two residents who had no insurance due to a string of bad luck.

“She is older , without immediate family(no children) to help her. She is a cancer survivor who still is on medication for treatment. She recently lost her job of 16 years as a result of health issues that left her unable to perform her transportation position she held,” he writes. “A daughter of a now deceased La Mesa firefighter, she is left alone to fight an uphill battle. Please help her get back on her feet.“

Christine Douglas:  Mom loses all

“My mom, Alpine community member, Christine Douglas lost everything in the West fire on July 6, 2018.  She lost her mobile home, all possessions, and her constant companion of 11 years, Miss D the dog,” writes her son, Chad Cooper. 

He adds, “Mom is a hard working senior citizen, serving as a special education aide in the Cajon Valley and Alpine School Districts and is a member of California School Employees Association (CSEA).  Even with two part-time jobs, she has a very hard time making ends meet.  Funds raised will help her cover the costs of restarting her life - clothes, essentials, housing, costs of furnishing future dwelling, food, and other items you don't know are missing until they are https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/31149266_1531061492894364_r.jpeggone.”

Dylan Inman:  SDG&E worker and his family

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers started a fundraising page to help Dylan Inman, a gas construction technician at San Diego Gas & Electric who lost his home in the West Fire. 

The IBEW’s Local 465 business manager Nate Fairman in San Diego writes, “We ask all of his sisters and brothers to dig deep and give what you can to help his family during these tough times. If you cannot donate, please share. Thank you.”

Al and Sharon Haven:  Community leaders in education and charitable organizations

Al and Sharon Haven’s home burned to the ground.  The Havens have been major participants in the development of Alpine for more than 40 years, receiving accolades for their services from the local officials, clubs and agencies that are part of their community.  Al Haven is the retired superintendent of the Alpine Union School District and Sharon formerly led the Alpine Education Association.

“Al just turned 88 and is recouping from severe muscular skeletal problems, and at this point is disabled,” the GoFundMe Page states. “In spite of losing everything, this elderly couple shows a resiliency that far surpasses the norm.  The Havens in a late stage of life have to begin again and any assistance would help them in this process.  Thank you!!”

Family of Jonathan Quezada:  Family with young children loses two homes and their dogshttps://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/31159828_1531095120374732_r.jpeg

The fire destroyed the homes of Jonathan Quezeda’s in-laws and his sister-in-law.  He writes, “Their life possessions, including family photographs and momentos, were consumed by the fires.  If it were not for the two courageous police officers that evacuated and transported them to the evacuation site, they would have lost their lives as well…Given only minutes to retrieve their grandchildren from their home, our in-laws had no time to secure any belongings from their home including their two dogs who were also lost in the fire.



He adds, “By the time my sister-in-law arrived in the area, the roads were closed off and the two homes were already lost.  She never had the opportunity to retrieve any belongings as well.  Her family includes her husband and two children ages 1 and 3.  This tragic event has a left an emotional and financial scar on both families.  With my 3 year old niece asking when they are going back home, the fire has put the families in a difficult situation of how to start rebuilding their lives again and how to best provide for their loved ones.”  The site asks for prayers as well as financial help for the families.

Ned and Patricia Holmes: Seniors lose home to fire a second time

Ned and Patricia Holmes lost their home in the 2003 Cedar Fire and decided to move closer to town when they rebuilt, in order to make life easier and be closer to family.  Now they’ve lost their rebuilt home in the West Fire.

“They were unable to get any of their belongings,” the GoFundMe page states, adding that the couple never asks others for help, but “they can really use the help at this time.” 



Dan and Mona Barnes:  Lost home, six month after their son’s death

 “On January 6th, Dan and Mona Barnes lost their only child, Trevor, to suicide. Six months later, to the day, they lost their entire home to the West Fire. The only things they were able to save as they evacuated, was their dog, Red, and one photograph of Trevor,” the GoFundMe site states.

“Thousands of photos, and a room full of his cherished belongings...all gone. As Mona and Dan continue to grieve the loss of Trevor, they now face the daunting task of rebuilding a life from scratch. Please help us support them during this tragic time.”

Beatty family: Lost home and business

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“Please help us to help the "The Beaty Family" who have lost everything in the West Fire.  Not only have they lost their home and belongings they also lost their business, trucks and equipment.  They are the first to help their friends out so let's help them.   Any amount will help,” the Go Fund Me page states.

Campbell Creek Ranch:  historic home and wedding venue

The West Fire started right next to Campbell Creek Ranch, a historic site where the Campbells have preserved and refurbished buildings in their family since the late 1800’s. During the summer months they host weddings almost every weekend.

“Unfortunately the fire took almost everything from the Campbell family; the only structure left standing was the barn and while all the people and horses made it out alive, the Campbells had to leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” their site states, asking people to donate to help the Campbells “in their hour of need.”  

Gumienny family:  Extended family displaced

Pamela Elliott Gumienny writes, “The most recent West fire in Alpine took the home of my in-laws. Besides the two of them, their two grandchildren, their daughter and her fiancée also lived on the property. Everyone got out safely but with only the clothes on their backs. I am asking for donations of cash, gift cards, household items and some equipment that will be needed to start the cleanup process.” A list of needed items is posted at the site. 

Ed and Lauren King: Lost everything

Ed and Lauren king’s home burned to the ground. According to a site set up by their daughter, they lost everything.

“So many people have reached out asking how they can help my parents so Kyle and I decided this might be the best way.  My parents are the strongest people I know and will get through this devastation with all the love and support of our friends, family and community.”  

Shaun and Cyndi Driscoll: Nothing was left

A fund to help the Driscolls has been set up by their neighbor who writes that when they returned after the fast-moving West Fire swept through, “nothing was left.” The couple lost their home and all of their belongings, too.

Jaregui family: A lifetime of memories lost

Cinda Jaregui and her husband lost everything in the fire – except for her mother’s engagement ring, which she found while sifting through the ashes. The couple’s daughter, Torrie, has set up a fund to help her parents rebuild their home and their lives.

Jamie and Joey AlfaroDisplaced with dog

 

Like so many, the Alfaro family lost their home in the fire. They have been displaced, along with their dog.  Donations are sought to help them with the recovery process because they “need all our support,” according to their page.

Laura’s rebuilding fund:  Senior mom starting over

Sarah Swan started this fund to help her mother, in response to friends who asked how they can help.

“Rebuilding her life will not be easy and she has a long road ahead.  Many have asked how they can help financially, so we've set-up this Go-Fund-Me account.  Any and all donations are gratefully appreciated.  Thank you all so much and God bless!!” she writes.

Victor and Carrie: Young couple needs necessities

Hiroshi Nansen started this fund for friends Victor and Carrie.  

He wrote, “Victor & Carrie were unfortunately victims of the recent fires that were spreading throughout Alpine CA. Their home was burned to the ground with nothing left behind. I am trying to raise enough donations to cover basic necessities such as clothing, hygiene products and mainly for a place so they can have somewhere to stay. This has been very devastating for them and the help is needed dearly.” But so far, only $10 has been donated to help this young couple.

Jay and Tiff Devlin:  Known for their generosity

Kyle Lancaster started this fund for Tiffany and Jay Devlin. “If anyone knows these guys, Jay and Tiff Devlin, you know how much they give for others. As the unfortunate victims of the recent #westfire in Alpine, they are in turn gonna likely need a lil support as they need literally everything. I lived this same life during the Cedar Fire, so I know just how devasting this can be. Good news is the dogs are ok! But they are gonna be hungry. I know they wouldn’t ever ask in their own, but we owe it to them for all their generosity.” 

 

 

 

 

 


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Comments

This story just made it all more real

Thank you Miriam. It's news coverage like this that reinforces the fact that you are a great reporter. A story that has a heartfelt touch. A story that brings human emotion to life. My prayers to all these people who are have experienced something horrific, yet will carry on through determination.