“During the Hayman Fire, a family with two children ages about 8 and 10 years of age, came in looking for assistance with rent, food, and gas. The parents had been hauling livestock down the pass to safety and had not been working. As was the custom, I asked if they would like something to drink. The boy asked if we had something to eat instead. At the time, we were in the basement of the Catholic Church. A family was having a birthday party for their child at the same time, with pizza and sodas in the same basement. I approached the family at the party and asked if our client’s children could have a slice of pizza; She said of course and invited the children to join the party so they could also have cake and ice cream. We of course assisted the family and gave them directions to contact FEMA and the Salvation Army for more assistance.”
• Mary Gonzales