GoFundMe for BPLer Kat due to California fires

Another quick update:

My apologies, but I’m waiting for GoFundMe to get back to me about how to suspend a campaign. It’s my first time with this particular rodeo and I want to ensure I don’t screw something up. It may take two days for them to get back to me, so the campaign will remain active until I hear back from them.

I have been able to list Kat as the beneficiary, so all money is now in her hands, I can’t touch it. I prefer it that way for transparency’s sake.

I just talked to Kat, the highs and lows are taking their toll, as you might expect. As Rex said in another thread, winds are shifting again, and the shop is once again in danger. It just won’t stop. First all looks fine, then suddenly, and generally without warning, everything starts going downhill. These swings are happening repeatedly.

That’s all I’ve got for the moment.

David Thomas, I sent you a PM.

Doug

Kat, I’m really sorry. If you and Chris need a place to stay you are welcome to stay at my place.
Rick

Hi all,

This will be my last update here. The campaign will stop accepting donations later today.

We’re well past our initial goal, having surpassed $15,000. What an incredible community BPL is.

Suspending the campaign doesn’t shut down the GoFundMe page. People will still be able to read about it and such. As I said yesterday, Kat is now listed as the beneficiary, so she has complete control on when to withdraw funds, she doesn’t need to take it all at once but can access it as she and Chris need it within a time period set by GoFundMe.

I’m awed by what you, collectively, were able to accomplish through this campaign. Kat has many, many admirers! I see this really as a testament to everything Kat has contributed to BPL over the years. I want to thank you all for making this campaign more successful than I thought possible.

A big shout out to my (and Kat’s) good friend Nick, who really got the ball rolling with a quick email to me during a resupply (he would have set this up himself if he hadn’t been out in the middle of nowhere with no cell service), and to Ryan for amplifying the message which made the campaign as successful as it has been.

But, truly, the biggest shout out by far goes to all of you, this wonderful BPL community from around the world and your friends and such, whose incredible generosity will greatly ease the landing for Kat and Chris from this tragedy. On behalf of Kat and Chris, I simply can’t thank you enough.

Big socially-distanced hugs to all! :-)

Best,

Doug

Kat sent me some pics, I’m sharing them here.

The obligatory before pic:

The after pics:

The driveway

“They did not have renter’s insurance. She actually hadn’t heard of it before.”

Honestly this is the saddest part of it.  Things can be replaced but it’s hard without insurance or without an awesome community like this.