Victoria and David - Fire Victims

Victoria and David lost everything in the Reserve at LaVista Walk apartment fire on Friday, November 10th. We are thanking God that they are alive today.

We have had so many people reach out who want to help. We are not sure what all to do at this moment. Until we figure things out, it was suggested that we create a GoFundMe account. If you would like to donate, please do. If you prefer to Venmo, Victoria is @torigann and David’s is @DC1101. But do not feel obligated. This feels incredibly weird to ask. If you have items that you would like to donate, please contact Shandra to arrange a drop-off. If you want to send well wishes on Facebook, that is awesome too!

For those of you who want to know more, here is what happened:

David and Victoria arrived at their top story apartment Friday night after celebrating a friend's engagement. Within 20 minutes of their return home, the police banged on their door and ordered them to evacuate --- NOW! There was no time to think or consider which items to take. David quickly grabbed Iris the cat, and they left immediately with just the clothes they were wearing. In all the chaos, he left his phone and keys in the apartment.

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/considerable-amount-northeast-atlanta-apartment-complex-damaged-3-alarm-fire-crews-say/244E3B4VEFDZ7NWAGYVBPAZTLE/

Victoria was able to get into her car and drive down the bottom floor of the parking structure but could not get out because of the fire trucks blocking the exit. David could not get to his car at all. David and Victoria called an uber and traveled to his dad’s house in Dawsonville for the night. While they waited for the uber, they watched the building and all their belongings in it burn. There was nothing they could do.

At least they had some place to go and some people to help. David’s father was able to give David a phone to clone on Saturday. David’s sister-in-law was able to loan Victoria something to wear on Saturday. Shandra, Victoria’s mom, took her shopping on Saturday and Sunday to begin to replace the immediate necessities for her and David – basics like shoes and socks, pants and shirts, underwear, toiletries.

It would be Monday morning before they were allowed near the apartment again. Fire trucks were still on-site putting out the last of the fire. It was surreal. There were no walls or ceiling of their top floor apartment. It is all just… gone.

Everything is a total loss. Half of David's car literally melted. His work laptop is destroyed, and it will take so much effort to recreate all those local files. Victoria is an incredible photographer and lost all of her camera equipment for her photography sessions. Her laptop with all her photos was in that fire. She is also a fantastic cook; all of her kitchen is just… gone. In their shock, they are trying to think of all the items that will need to be replaced. It is all so overwhelming.

Just thinking about it brings about another level of grieving but also more thoughts of how lucky they actually are. Her car was ok. She could retrieve her wallet. His wallet was still intact under the driver's seat in the car. They are both safe. They are both alive. Of the 200 people who have been completely displaced from this fire, they are some of the fortunate ones who have options.

Hug your people tight today! You never know what tomorrow brings. Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out to us! We truly have an amazing family and friends

Message from Victoria: “Thank you to everyone who has called, texted, or sent a Venmo. I could not be more appreciative of everyone reaching out to make sure that we are okay. Everything we own is replaceable, but the love everyone has poured out to us isn’t. Thank you for being such an amazing community to lean on.”