Emerging from disaster.

My name is Tracie, and this is my story.

So, I was just scrolling through Facebook, when a post on Emergency RV caught my eye. They were asking for someone to deliver a camper to a single mom and kids. She was a survivor from the LA fires, who had lost their house in the fire, and with it their innocence and their safety net. Their confidence was shattered.They have been waiting, and the delivery had fallen through several times. As a survivor of the Camp Fire, in Paradise, Northern California, where I had lost my home and business, where I met John and Susie, the people running theEmergency R.V. Organization, this touched me. Really, touched me. It's like God was tapping on my shoulder, saying, you can do this one. She needs help, nobody else is coming, right now. So, I prayed for confirmation, and didn't even finish my prayer. So I messaged John, I had taken a week off to do maintenance in my motorhome, which still needs to be done, but no help was coming for me either. I can do this, anytime. I'm not going anywhere, right now. Too much work to do.

So John and I talked a little, we made a plan, and he made it happen. I've been wanting to make a difference in someone's life for awhile. All these disasters, and I can't just go, but all the stars aligned for this!

So I asked a friend to go, and they couldn't make it. It was too short of notice for most. This was a whim. But what a whim!

I picked up a truck and drove from Roseville, Ca back to Oroville, where I live in my R.V. in a R.V. Park and started loading the truck. I was already packed. I topped off the tank, and off I went. Emergency R.V. Fronted all my expenses, the truck rental and the gas, food on the road and motel stays. Heading to Olympia Washington. Near the Canadian border. It was a little daunting, but I wasn't afraid. I was excited. I needed a change.

I lost my husband over a year ago. My ride or die buddy. He would have loved this trip, but if he was still here, his health wouldn't allow it, so I would not have happened. But I was still excited. A change from working all the time. And helping someone in the process, what a blessing!

I got to Washington, and the lady donating the camper, she's been a big helper for fire survivors. She has such a big heart. It's something words can't explain. There are those who do stuff, and there are those who dedicate their life to help others. She's one of those! She even cashed out her IRA to buy this camper. She wanted to make a difference, and boy did she!

I had a mishap pulling out with the camper, and we had to call for help. Minimal damage, but because we had to call for help, it was revealed the tires were bad, and would have blown. Blown tires on an RV causes a lot of damage, usually. I was sure I had room, but I didn't. God helped us figure out it needed to be roadworthy to make this trip. Almost 2000 miles to San Diego area. We needed those new tires, and the other things they fixed to make it right. The tire shop down the road had the tires in stock, and when they heard what I was doing, they sold them to me at a discount. And not only that, they switched out the old tires with the new ones, and did a complete safety check of the trailer, at no cost!

I got to San Diego with no other problems. God was watching over this little mama and her 2 children.They had been through a lot, and had given up hope, thinking it's not real. But it was. The R.V. Had arrived! They were so excited and almost numb still not believing it was true.

When I got to San Diego, I met up with the lady in need and her 2 young children. They helped me back up and park the trailer, then we all hooked it up. The children were so excited, rushing in and exploring their new home. They chose their bed, and closet, and mom chose hers too. It was a small camper and they would be living on top of each other, but at least they had a home they could call their own, so it was a start to getting their lives back. When I left, the smiles on their faces were huge, and their eyes were shining. Hugs were traded, and probably a few joyous tears. I felt on top of the world. I changed the world for those children and mother. I rode on cloud 9 the whole drive home. I could not wait to do this again.

This story is a true story , told to me by this hard working awesome woman Tracie, who doesn’t consider herself a victim, but a survivor, who is helping others who need help. Names have been changed because she doesn’t want to bring attention to herself, but to the help these fire victims so desperately need. Tracie is such a strong woman, and compassionate. I’m proud to know her, and to call her my friend.The purpose of her story is to get people inspired to donate their help to others in need. Please do, and change the world for someone that really needs it.