Help Syd and Viv recover after the Eaton Fire

Hi, my name is Kathy and I am fundraising for my close friends Sydney Do (Syd) and Vivian Diep (Viv) who lost their home and all of their possessions in the Eaton Fire on 1/7/2025. They were able to escape with their cat, some documents and the clothes on their back but the fires had spread too rapidly for them to be able to take anything else.

They bought this house in September 2022, a small run down building that was badly in need of renovations. It had no plumbing, no electrical wiring and no insulation. In the past few years they have worked on this house every spare moment they have had, doing much of the manual labour and installation themselves only for it to be completely burnt down to the ground just mere months after they were finally able to move in. This house was not just a home but a culmination of years of hard work and hopes and dreams. It can only be imagined how devastating this has been for them and how heartbreaking it is for all their friends who have followed their journey to see their dream home literally turn into ash.

I hope that everyone can give whatever support they can to support these two in this incredibly difficult time. Every single dollar helps and even if you are not in the situation to contribute financially, please help by sharing this link to anyone you can.

Thank you for your support

Update 1: https://bit.ly/eatonfireescape (link to Syd's write up of his experience)

Update 2: Message from Viv and Syd:

"Dear friends,

When our friend Kathy made us this GoFundMe page, we could never have imagined such extraordinary generosity.

There’s no getting around it, this has been a painful loss for us. We were immediately flung into the process of insurance, relief applications, and collecting the essentials for living while still fearful of more evacuations as the wind and dry conditions continued. Vivian continued getting the shakes when the Watch Duty app and evacuation alerts rang for days after her evacuation.

But from day one, you - our friends, family, and community - kept us afloat in every way.

You’ve opened your homes to us (with offers coming from as far as Boston!), provided us food and immediate necessities, and given us comfort and hope.

Every message we’ve received from you has bolstered our spirits and now, as we begin the long process of recovery, we can thank you again. We wonder at how we could have deserved such an incredible community, but simply must accept that we are blessed.

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, love, and generosity during this time. We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received - words cannot express our appreciation and gratitude. We are reunited and safe. We are also in good spirits - entirely due to your support.

If ever we can return such great kindness, we happily will and think of all of you.

With deep gratitude,

Vivian and Sydney"