Santa Rosa Fire & Mooney Folks

[Sven]

Just to let you know, there's a couple of us Mooney folks here in Santa Rosa. We have all had a horrific week in Sonoma County. The unthinkable happened in the early hours of Monday evening as a firestorm sped from Calistoga over the mountain into the heart of northern Santa Rosa. My wife and I were awakened by a neighbor for an immediate evacuation with a firestorm raging on the hill just above our neighborhood. The smoke, flames, explosions, severe wind and the roar were unbelievable and what I would describe as evil. My wife was injured trying to wake an elderly neighbor and required an ER visit but our hospital seemed to be on fire as did all of Santa Rosa. We left with the clothes on our back and our cat. We were certain we would lose our house. As we became refugees our day was filled with anxiety as we grasped the reality of losing "our stuff." Remembering that I had webcams it was late morning when I saw that, unbelievably, our home had been somehow spared. We actually felt guilty about that as so many of our friends narrowly escaped with just their lives in Fountain Grove, Coffey Park, and Larkfield/Wikiup where we live. One of our Mooney brothers, M20D6607U, lost his home as did many members of his family. So many families had multiple members in these neighborhoods. You would think when something like this happens you could stay with relatives but when every family member loses their home it creates a real dilemma. I am helping to run an evacuation and disaster relief distribution center and I connected with Ron personally today, getting him and his family some relief supplies, loading him up with everything I could from sleeping bags to Gatorade to toothbrushes and socks. He also knows and is helping several other families who lost their homes and we are supplying them as well. I know he's going to be upset with me for telling you all this but I thought it would be great if you left him some words of encouragement. I'm not sure when he'll see this but at some point I'll tell him what I did unless he busts me sooner. He's a great guy with a heart of gold. 

All of our Mooneys are safe. The airport was about 2 miles from the fire and has been a base for Cal Fire, National Guard, and several GA relief efforts as have the smaller airports near us like Healdsburg, Cloverdale, and Petaluma. There is a sizable TFR overhead of which a small chunk was left open for KSTS in case you're flying in here.

When faced with the possibility of losing your home and everything in it, you often wonder what you would take with you. When the evacuation is immediate and dangerous there is no time or decision making. You leave it all. We snuck in past the barricades the second day as the fires were still raging next to us, expecting our home to be destroyed. My wife and I looked around and wondered what we'd pack into our van. All we took were our important papers, old video tape of our daughters, and a couple extra changes of clothing. We left everything else. The night before, when we were convinced we lost everything, we let it all go. It was just stuff at that point. We had each other, our friends, and we were safe. What we used to think was so important now made us feel embarrassed. The new sofa we took so long to find, the perfect giant HDTV, the piano, and on and on and on. It was just stuff. It wasn't important anymore and it seemed a hinderance. On this second trip in all we brought out was a laundry basket with very few things. The van was empty as we headed back to the shelter and we walked away from our home with no regrets.

Lean-of-peak vs. rich-of-peak didn't matter anymore (hahaha). Neither did politics, sports, or any other argument or opinion. It all seems so petty now. I drive through the burn area on my way to work every day. There's no way around it. The familiar landmarks that defined my neighborhood are gone, obliterated. I'm hoping that visible scar on our community will be a constant reminder to not get caught up in the "stuff" trap again. Family and friendships are what's important. Giving to others and serving your community, being generous and grateful and all that good stuff, that's what's important.  

-Scott 

[MB65E]

Unreal! Hang in there Guys!!

After Each catastrophic event that has happened this summer, it sure feels they get closer and closer. The more people we know are affected. The more it makes you think about what's important. 

Has the  Red Cross at  STS set up a fly in donation center yet? 

-Matt

[Sven]

Ron actually works for Sonoma Jet Center. The Red Cross is not out hat STS as they are in the city. However, if you drop anything off at KSTS use Sonoma Jet Center and they as they have strong contacts with us and we be very good stewards of what you bring in. The big thing is gift cards, especially Target. Kmart burned down as did Kohl's so no gift cards from there, please. We don't need bottled water. I have 45,000 bottles and another truck is on the way. Most of the shelters and distribution centers are receiving goods from Convoy of Hope and other organizations.

-Scott

[bonal]

We will be checking with the folks at Sonoma Jet to see what we might be able to do, they have always treated my wife and I like family when we visit.  Am so glad your home was spared and equally sorry to hear that Ron lost his.  You are right about the stuff and so much becoming so insignficant when this sort of thing happens but I do think there are some things worth saving if you have the chance.  Many things we posses are not just things we buy at the store but things that define our lives and our past.  We have dodged a few bullets  in Lake county and I have been dealing with the recovery efforts for all the victims of the 2 major fires we have had over the last 2 years and now am envolved with the efforts for our 3rd fire as well as the Mendocino county fires.  The time it takes for the people to rebuild and get back to a more normal life is long and i can only imagine how difficult it is.  We are just over the hill let me know if there is anything we can do to help.

John 

[RobertGary1]

I often fly with the Santa Rosa folks in CAP.  Best wishes from those of us in Sacramento.

 

-Robert

[mike_elliott]

Might I suggest one considers a monetary donation to Ron Cassero c/o the Sonoma Jet center to help him offset his tragic loss? He is Mooney family....

Ron Cassero

C/o Sonoma Jet Center

6000 Flightline Dr,

Santa Rosa, CA 95403

[flyboy0681]

I would give but I'm already involved with relief efforts with two of my clients located in Puerto Rico. If it's not one disaster it's another.

[Yetti]

In Houston We completely lost the month of September.  The line in Houston was "Nobody in Houston knows what day it is"

Things:  I had to make decisions for lots of homeowners since they were still shell shocked.  Guns, silver, Silver Set, Jewelry, important papers, Clothes to start afresh.

As one homeowner said looking at all his stuff piled in trash bags on the boat.  "This is not the optimum way to move a household"

Stay strong.  Rely on friends and neighbors, It's OK to ask for help. I started the hashtag #wegotthis as a reminder to folks that you will get through this.

[carusoam]

Sven, thanks for letting us know the situation.

Best regards,

-a-

[thinwing]

Thanks for suggestions on how to help...my wife's family is in Glenn Ellen....also hard hit