A Hero, His Family and the Town That Was Lost
Donation protected
Rob Nichols and his family is just one of the thousands who lost everything in the fires of Paradise, California... Everything. The devastation in Paradise is heart breaking and many, many families have lost homes, jobs, family members, friends and an entire town.
Rob's Story is not unique. But he feels blessed because he has his job, his family and a chance to help others every day.
At Metalcloak, we decided to set up this GoFundMe initially to help Rob, but it has become so much more. Rob has pledged to give ALL the funds from the GoFundMe to other families and victims in need.
[just a sample of the devastation in Paradise]
Besides being in our backyard, this all started based on an email that was sent to me by his Rob Nichols' amazing wife.
Rob Nichols is a Paradise Police Officer... and his actions over the last several days proved that he loves his town, loves his job and loves his family. He is a true hero.
There is no telling how many lives he saved, but his wife's story tells of at least 300 souls that he stood with as the fires raged around them.
[Among the devastation of Rob's home, this lone cross appeared. Notice that the house behind is still standing.]
A story from Jenifer, Rob's Wife that is just a sample of how devastating and life changing this is:
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My family and I are victims of the worst fire in CA history. It was the morning of November 8th, 2018 and we woke up with an orange haze in the air. My husband is a Paradise Police Officer, who called in and asked about danger. They explained there was no danger and to continue life. We all got ready for work and school and said our "I love you's and be safes" and went out ways. I took our two children, Alee 7, and Dominic, 6 to school where people were nervous. I assured them of what was related to me but inside felt uneasy. I ended up thinking in my mind, I think I'll stay home for a bit until I travel down to Chico for work.
Well by the time I was to the car, my husband called stating all of paradise was under immediate evacuation and to get the kids and go. I raced back in to the classroom and said we were going to go bye bye, to please get up and go. I raced home to grab what I could. I had about 10 minutes to grab pictures off walls, a few articles of clothing and my kids most prized possession, their blankies.
We ran out to the car in pitch black at 8:15am and drove towards Chico along with 6500 others. My mom met us at the house to commute with us. As we traveled down, I looked at the ridge and paradise that was going down FAST. My husband called and all I heard was panic. I told him I was keeping our babies safe, please be safe. I heard nothing from him for hours!!
We arrived at my uncle's in Chico and kept calling family members. Unfortunately the lines were down so all we had was prayer and hope. A few arrived one by one, asking about the others. My aunt finally arrived stating that as she drove down skyway, the flames were engulfing her and bombers were dropping water over her car to keep from burning. She couldn't speak when she arrived. She was completely traumatized.
I finally heard a short word from my husband who stated he was in the middle of a parking lot surrounded by flames. He was holding 200-300 people there to protect them. I sank to my knees to pray. I knew he couldn't survive that. Not when a fire was taking a whole entire town. He promised he'd be ok. And I trust him with my life. Thank God. He gave me a glimmer of hope. I didn't understand why they couldn't get people out! Helicopters, anything.
I prayed to God, please take what you need but keep our heros safe. My brother is a Butte county sheriff deputy who was working traffic control. As people were running out of the vehicles and literally running from the fires. My son's teacher and a beautiful friend contacted me stating her son called crying saying he ran from his truck with their family dog to escape the fire. She stated he was with a group of people in a parking lot.
I said omgosh, Rob (my husband) is there. Shelly, I will try desperately to contact him to comfort your boy. Rob called for a minute, so I explained Spencer to Rob and guess what, he found him he found him and when safe, escorted him out to safety to his mom and dad. His dad who waited as long as he could for him. There was no cell service and he waited until he saw flames, with the deep sorrow he may have lost his son. They are all four reunited.
I finally heard from Rob around 8pm and he was alive!!!! Praise the Lord. I promised God if he kept him safe, nothing else matters. The fire took everything we ever had. Including memories. But I'm keeping my promise and telling myself we will rebuild. We ended up that night at my fathers and step mom's home and half hour later we're evacuating there due to a fast paced fire heading down to Chico.
We fled to a friends home in Los molinos, 40 minutes away. We got there at approx 11:00pm to a warm welcoming. Beds, food, comfort for my babies. I immediately for the first time broke down with happy/sad tears with their generosity and the craziness. I got to hold my husband for ten minutes before we split ways and guess what? He showed up at 11:30 to surprise us.
He didn't feel right about leaving us after the stress. He's amazing. He got a couple hours of rest then went back into work. He's scared for his family, sad for his home, yet is there for everyone. My brother, the deputy, was renting a home and a couple days away from closing escrow on his new home, all packed up. Cancelled renter insurance due to the move, and lost BOTH homes. Heart breaking and devastating. He came out with the clothes on his back. Today as I went to Costco to buy clothing and blankets.
My family lost 9 homes total. Two schools. My mother who lost a home 7 years ago due to losing a job, has been sleeping on couches and has a bed to her name, was set to move into another home of her very own in less than a week. Well she had a memory foam topper to her name that she was content with. So I went out and bought her everything to furnish her home. Including pictures of the family to make it homey, instantly. All of which was in my garage. For some lucky reason, I still have her cup I was going to put next to the coffee pot, "world's best mom". That's a positive. I am so thankful about how my community has come together knowing there's nothing. No schools, homes, doctors.
Our kids have been amazing. Having their toys, clothes, home, ripped from them. Having to stay indoors due to smoke. They've been my light. We've stayed strong and are doing what we need. Thank you for listening to our story and I continue to pray for our community, the loss and our first responder heros.
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Rob's Story is not unique. But he feels blessed because he has his job, his family and a chance to help others every day.
At Metalcloak, we decided to set up this GoFundMe initially to help Rob, but it has become so much more. Rob has pledged to give ALL the funds from the GoFundMe to other families and victims in need.
[just a sample of the devastation in Paradise]Besides being in our backyard, this all started based on an email that was sent to me by his Rob Nichols' amazing wife.
Rob Nichols is a Paradise Police Officer... and his actions over the last several days proved that he loves his town, loves his job and loves his family. He is a true hero.
There is no telling how many lives he saved, but his wife's story tells of at least 300 souls that he stood with as the fires raged around them.
[Among the devastation of Rob's home, this lone cross appeared. Notice that the house behind is still standing.]A story from Jenifer, Rob's Wife that is just a sample of how devastating and life changing this is:
--------------------------------
My family and I are victims of the worst fire in CA history. It was the morning of November 8th, 2018 and we woke up with an orange haze in the air. My husband is a Paradise Police Officer, who called in and asked about danger. They explained there was no danger and to continue life. We all got ready for work and school and said our "I love you's and be safes" and went out ways. I took our two children, Alee 7, and Dominic, 6 to school where people were nervous. I assured them of what was related to me but inside felt uneasy. I ended up thinking in my mind, I think I'll stay home for a bit until I travel down to Chico for work.
Well by the time I was to the car, my husband called stating all of paradise was under immediate evacuation and to get the kids and go. I raced back in to the classroom and said we were going to go bye bye, to please get up and go. I raced home to grab what I could. I had about 10 minutes to grab pictures off walls, a few articles of clothing and my kids most prized possession, their blankies.
We ran out to the car in pitch black at 8:15am and drove towards Chico along with 6500 others. My mom met us at the house to commute with us. As we traveled down, I looked at the ridge and paradise that was going down FAST. My husband called and all I heard was panic. I told him I was keeping our babies safe, please be safe. I heard nothing from him for hours!!
We arrived at my uncle's in Chico and kept calling family members. Unfortunately the lines were down so all we had was prayer and hope. A few arrived one by one, asking about the others. My aunt finally arrived stating that as she drove down skyway, the flames were engulfing her and bombers were dropping water over her car to keep from burning. She couldn't speak when she arrived. She was completely traumatized.
I finally heard a short word from my husband who stated he was in the middle of a parking lot surrounded by flames. He was holding 200-300 people there to protect them. I sank to my knees to pray. I knew he couldn't survive that. Not when a fire was taking a whole entire town. He promised he'd be ok. And I trust him with my life. Thank God. He gave me a glimmer of hope. I didn't understand why they couldn't get people out! Helicopters, anything.
I prayed to God, please take what you need but keep our heros safe. My brother is a Butte county sheriff deputy who was working traffic control. As people were running out of the vehicles and literally running from the fires. My son's teacher and a beautiful friend contacted me stating her son called crying saying he ran from his truck with their family dog to escape the fire. She stated he was with a group of people in a parking lot.
I said omgosh, Rob (my husband) is there. Shelly, I will try desperately to contact him to comfort your boy. Rob called for a minute, so I explained Spencer to Rob and guess what, he found him he found him and when safe, escorted him out to safety to his mom and dad. His dad who waited as long as he could for him. There was no cell service and he waited until he saw flames, with the deep sorrow he may have lost his son. They are all four reunited.
I finally heard from Rob around 8pm and he was alive!!!! Praise the Lord. I promised God if he kept him safe, nothing else matters. The fire took everything we ever had. Including memories. But I'm keeping my promise and telling myself we will rebuild. We ended up that night at my fathers and step mom's home and half hour later we're evacuating there due to a fast paced fire heading down to Chico.
We fled to a friends home in Los molinos, 40 minutes away. We got there at approx 11:00pm to a warm welcoming. Beds, food, comfort for my babies. I immediately for the first time broke down with happy/sad tears with their generosity and the craziness. I got to hold my husband for ten minutes before we split ways and guess what? He showed up at 11:30 to surprise us.
He didn't feel right about leaving us after the stress. He's amazing. He got a couple hours of rest then went back into work. He's scared for his family, sad for his home, yet is there for everyone. My brother, the deputy, was renting a home and a couple days away from closing escrow on his new home, all packed up. Cancelled renter insurance due to the move, and lost BOTH homes. Heart breaking and devastating. He came out with the clothes on his back. Today as I went to Costco to buy clothing and blankets.
My family lost 9 homes total. Two schools. My mother who lost a home 7 years ago due to losing a job, has been sleeping on couches and has a bed to her name, was set to move into another home of her very own in less than a week. Well she had a memory foam topper to her name that she was content with. So I went out and bought her everything to furnish her home. Including pictures of the family to make it homey, instantly. All of which was in my garage. For some lucky reason, I still have her cup I was going to put next to the coffee pot, "world's best mom". That's a positive. I am so thankful about how my community has come together knowing there's nothing. No schools, homes, doctors.
Our kids have been amazing. Having their toys, clothes, home, ripped from them. Having to stay indoors due to smoke. They've been my light. We've stayed strong and are doing what we need. Thank you for listening to our story and I continue to pray for our community, the loss and our first responder heros.
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Fundraising team: The Nichols Family Team (4)
Matson Breakey
Organizer
Paradise, CA
Jenifer Lee
Beneficiary
Will Richason
Team member
Jon Slaton
Team member