Support Jared Bird's family - Moose Fire crash

Thursday morning, we were all excitedly texting in our group chat about “fish fest” in Kenai, Alaska.

We were doing inventory for how many dip nets we all had, and Jared wrote, “We will all catch 1,000,000 fishes!”

He went on to say he’d be back in Alaska on the 27th of July. Only 6 days away.

Just hours later, the Chinook helicopter he was co-piloting crashed into the Salmon River in Idaho. The pilots were tasked with helping fight the Moose Fire 21 miles north of their location.

His wife and beloved partner of nearly 10 years, Jordan, then received the most unthinkable news.

Jared had not survived the crash. He was 36, a decorated veteran, and one helluva pilot.

Jared and Jordan had a strong partnership- they were not just husband and wife; they were best friends and an amazing team.

As of last June, Jared became the sole breadwinner in their family.

He supported them both while Jordan began an entrepreneurial journey as a freelance web designer.

With such a risky and dangerous job of flying helicopters, we are all at such a loss to discover there was no life insurance plan in place for Jared and learned it’s near impossible to get coverage for helicopter pilots.

This leaves Jordan with a mortgage, an in-the-middle-of-renovations downstairs rental apartment, two sweet dogs named Ernie and Watson, and a chicken coop all on her own.

There will be days and weeks of grieving and processing ahead. Her old way of operating has ended and a new one will need to be built. And right now, Jordan needs the luxury of time.

The best way to help buy our friend some time is by helping her financially right now.

To cover the bills. The groceries. The gas. The funeral. The dog food. The Kleenex’s. The internet. The everything.

Jordan’s fund is for more time for her to heal and to decide what will come next.

This fundraiser is being organized by Stephanie Plate and Daniel Speller, who are close friends of Jordan and Jared Bird, and has been set up with Jordan's permission and approval. Stephanie and Daniel are in direct contact with Jordan. The donations will be directly deposited from GoFundMe into Jordan’s bank account.

Thank you so much.