NEVADA — Nevada resident Amber Frank watched the news coverage of the Camp Fire raging through California last month, destroying people’s homes and entire towns, and knew she must do something to help her sister’s family.
Frank’s sister is married to the brother of Annajulene Cline, who lived in the small town of Paradise with her husband, Joe, and 6-year-old daughter, Bella.
“They lived with Anna’s mother-in-law because her father-in-law died just a couple of weeks prior to the fire,” Frank said.
The family lost its home and much of what it owned in the fire that swept through the area for days.
“I want to help because I couldn’t even imagine what they are going through, that little girl is the sweetest little girl ever,” Frank said. “I spent part of Thanksgiving Day with them, after the fire, and she was still happy and smiling, just wanting to play with her toys. Unfortunately, they were all lost in the fire.”
The family was able to evacuate in their vehicle, along with their dog, but it was a horrible experience for them.
“They thought the evacuation was just a precaution thing,” Frank said. “They, however, quickly found that it was not and they all thought they were going to die.”
Frank said the family prayed for protection but said their goodbyes to each other, just in case.
“They got to a road block where a cop was telling people they had to turn around and go to Walgreens but Joe refused because he had a place to go,” Frank said. “Well, thank God he did because that Walgreens ended up burning down. A few people inside perished in the fire.”
Frank said the Cline’s lost all their belongings, as well as their jobs.
“They both worked from home and there is nothing in the town left to obtain a job, so they are having to relocate,” Frank said.
Frank said Bella, along with 3,500 other children, are without a school.
“The family is trying to move to Kitsap County in the state of Washington where my sister and brother-in-law live,” Frank said. “It is the town in which Anna grew up but that takes money.”
Frank said that after Thanksgiving and the evacuation was lifted, the family was able to go back to see what was left, which was nothing, so they lived in their vehicle for two weeks.
“A nice family donated them an Airbnb house for a week, but that time ran out on Dec 19,” Frank said. “They went to my sister’s house in Washington for Christmas and to apply for jobs.”
Frank said she is collecting items to help the family get back on their feet and her goal is to send the donations to them by Jan. 10.
“I would like to get as much stuff as I can for them,” Frank said. “The main focus is Bella, along with gift cards for gas and food mainly. They do have an Amazon Wishlist set up as well, but I am asking everyone I know to buy Bella an LOL doll or accessory so that I can send it to her. She had a lot of them and just wants them replaced.
“These dolls sell at Walmart for like $9.88 and the smaller ones are cheaper. Bella wears a size 6/7, if anyone wants to help with clothes.”
Frank said books or educational items for Bella also are welcome since she has not been able to go to school since the fire.
“There are pics of the family on the Facebook page called Adopt a Paradise Family,” Frank said. “There are many other families that need help also.”
For more information or send donations, contact Amber Frank at 419-617-5418.