As the Lake Fire continues to burn north of Santa Clarita, the residents of Lake Hughes are now left to rebuild from the ashes, with some community members organizing a general fund for all families that have lost their homes in the raging wildfire.
Family expecting baby works to recover after Lake Fire destroys home
The Lake Fire was devastating for many families in the Lake Hughes area, just north of Santa Clarita. It continues to burn as the LaCroix family picks up the pieces of what was left of their home, just weeks before they welcome a newborn into their world. I returned to the burn area this week to tell their story from the moment flames raced down their canyon to today as they sifted through rubble in 109 degree heat. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––You can help them by donating to their GoFundMe:Matthew and Brittny: https://www.gofundme.com/f/36-wk-pregnant-mother-lost-her-house-in-lake-fireMichael: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lost-everything-in-the-lake-fire?utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_linkDonations can be brought to 25880 Tournament Road Suite 109 & 110 Valencia CA 91355 on Monday from 10 a.m. to 4pm.Brittny: XL maternity clothes, sun dresses, new underwear, size 9 shoesMatthew: 34 pants & shorts, large boxers/underwear, large shirts, size 12 shoesVictoria: 24 months – 2T clothing, size 5 shoes Baby Boy: needs everything
Posted by Austin Dave on Wednesday, August 19, 2020
One of the families left homeless by the Lake Fire, the LaCroix family, has been left with nothing only weeks before the birth of their newest member.
Michael LaCroix is self-employed and works from home, meaning that he not only lost all of his personal belongings but also everything he had to support himself and his family, including all his tools and equipment.
“When I was leaving I thought maybe that there’s a chance, I didn’t have to grab everything, that it would be okay, but no,” said LaCroix.
Michael’s daughter-in-law is 37 weeks pregnant, with a 1-year-old daughter. Everything they owned, including much-needed baby supplies, were destroyed. They have started donations to help raise funds not only to help recover from the blaze, but to collect everything needed for the new baby before he arrives
“After losing everything like this and having really everything completely melted, burned, gone, and not even hardly a remnant of everything,” said LaCroix. “I just have to be positive and think about the new start that’s available.”
Local resident Bill Cook, who has lived in the small unincorporated community for several decades, decided to take it upon himself last week to organize a general fund for all those majorly affected by the fire, the Lake Fire Relief Fund.
“My son sent me a video of a family we both know, and their home was just devastated, I was just floored,” said Cook.
Cook noticed that the family in question had already raised several thousand via their own GoFundMe, so he determined that the best idea would be to help raise funds for others who perhaps were less eager to put their struggles in the public eye.
See Related: Lake Fire Reaches 48 Percent Containment, Burns Over 27,000 Acres
He organized several volunteers, who coordinated to contact local families that had lost their homes in order to evaluate their needs, with the hope of being as equitable as possible. As of Thursday, Cook said there are between five and seven families who had lost everything that organizers hoped to help with the Lake Fire Relief Fund.
“There are so many reasons to donate, (the families) just didn’t lose a few things, a lot of people… they lost everything, their toothbrush, their books, their photos,” said Cook. “It’s more for us to be there for them and just let them know they’re not alone so that they don’t feel so destitute.”
Although the Lake Fire has been a tragic disaster for the rural community tucked into the foothills of the Sierra Pelona Mountains, it has also brought to light the best parts of the people who live there, according to Lakes Hughes Town Council President Teri Gordon.
“It has brought a lot of people together, we see the reports from everybody looking out for one another getting clothing, getting resources for these families,” said Gordon. “Everybody is looking out for everybody, that’s pretty consistent here, but especially in a crisis.”
In addition to other efforts, Gordon shared that the Town Council planned to hold a local art auction in order to help raise money for the Lake Fire Relief Fund.
Gordon stated that the Lake Hughes community is thankful for the multiple fire agencies that continue to work to fight the Lake Fire.
“I think that people just need to know that a small community like ours, we do come together, and it is important to us that we do look out for each other,” said Gordon. “We are fortunate to live in such a small community so that you can know everybody there and care for them, and even if you don’t know them, you know of them and can care for them.”
With insurance payouts potentially months away, Cook encouraged anyone who is able to donate, and if not, to please spread the word so that others can donate.
“Our goal is to help those out who are unrepresented by a personal GoFundMe,” said Cook.
As of Thursday, Aug. 20, the Lake Fire Relief Fund had raised nearly $7,000.
To donate to the Lake Fire Relief Fund, click here.
Sponsored Articles
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Nice that the community wants to help but their insurance should cover most everything. What? No insurance? Sorry, but that’s a responsibility of everyone.
My parents sustsined severe damage & loss during Montecito flood. They were very adequately insured but it still took weeks to see any $$ from insurance and 5 months for final resolution of claim. I’m sure those members of our awesome little community who suffered loss from this fire will appreciate the help & support of this wnderful gesture of goodwill and care from their neighbors.
If one cannot afford to donate money, how about donating goods?
You can contact Rhonda F. Kersey of the Lakes Community Center or Jessica Beyer via Facebook. They are both involved in the collection of material goods.
Correction. Jessica Byers.