Thank You for Your Concern

We hope you're all doing well.

We want to thank you all for your outpouring of concern, love, and support as we navigated the California Firestorm last month. The fires are all 100% contained. They are still burning, but they are no longer a danger to us and they expected to be extinguished soon.

We are deeply grateful to the police, first responders, and 1200+ firefighters that came here from all over the United States, Australia, and Canada to help during this time of great need.

Though there has been much devastation, destruction, loss, and sadness, this has also been a time for healing and growth. It has been so heartwarming to experience our community coming together to support one another and help each other, be it via a hug, a temporary evacuation center, food, clothing, longer term housing, and so much more.

Rebuilding will be a long journey - over 8400 structures, mostly homes, were completely destroyed, as were many of businesses. Toxic ash has to be removed before the rains take it into our streams, rivers, and bays. The first steps for rebuilding are already being taken by many, and the positivity with which people are going about putting their lives back together is amazing.

Many have reached out to ask what they can do to help. There are so many organizations collecting funds and supplies to help those who have lost everything. If you would like to contribute, Redwood Credit Union is giving 100% of the funds they collect directly to fire victims. These funds will help fire victims both in the short-term and the long-term as they search for housing, replace immediate, basic needs, and through all parts of the rebuilding process.

The hurricanes, floods, fires, and mass shootings of the last few months have been horrific and devastating. Our responses to these horrible events has been inspiring and uplifting. May we all learn from these times, remember to feel and express gratitude and compassion freely, live each moment to the fullest, create and maintain meaningful connections, and communicate with the intent to understand and be understood.