Help Darlene Rebuild After Devastating Fire

On Black Friday this year, my mom’s propane heater caught fire and her home burned down. She lived in an RV with her two cats and was sadly only able to rescue one (RIP Penny). She managed to get the propane tank disconnected and away from the flame, saving the vehicles and homes nearby from a possible explosion. She lost everything else to her name, including IDs, clothes, and handmade art.

Darlene is a beloved figure in the Clackamas County community, usually working 2-3 different bartending/waitress gigs to make ends meet. In her free time, she helps friends create artful landscapes around their homes, up-cycling local materials. She delights in thrifting/gifting treasures for her friends, and especially her three-year-old granddaughter, Opal.

Like many in her position, she didn’t have the kind of insurance that would cover such a loss. And while her friends have already rallied to donate clothes, she remains in need of a home to put them in.

This RV was her retirement plan, her home, and her safe space. Having suffered my own total loss house fire in 2019, I know what it’s like to be stripped bare of my possessions and to stare into the unknown. Speaking from experience, the generous donations from my community went a long way in helping my wife recover materially, but more importantly, it helped us to feel loved and safe.

Each donation was a sign that it will all be okay.

I’m asking you to help me give that to my mom. Perhaps she has served you a beer with a friendly smile even when it was busy. Maybe she helped you build an artful garden, even when it rained. Maybe you don’t know her at all, but feel moved to make a difference in the life of a person thousands of miles away. Every donation, no matter how small, is like a warm hug around her and our family.

We’ve set the goal at $24,000 to cover the removal of the burned RV and the down payment on a new one. Anything beyond that will go towards clothes, furniture, cookware, and to recoup income lost while she gets her life back together.

If you prefer to give tangible items, check out my mom's Amazon wish list here. Thank you!