Newly elected Chula Vista Councilwoman Jill Galvez did not waste any time in helping residents after she won her November election. She, along with Rhy Ahrenstein, Susie Murphy, Maria Galleher, Liz Murphy, Veronica Aguilera and Cesar Aguilera, known as the Chula Vista Par Committee, were committed to helping victims of the Camp fire, all with ties to Chula Vista.
Galvez held a planning meeting at her home to help organize the Chula Vista Paradise Fire Relief Fundraiser held Dec. 2 at Diamond Jim’s Nightclub on Third Avenue.
The fundraiser was held to help several Chula Vista High School graduates who suffered losses in the Camp fire in Paradise. Galvez’s friends had tipped her off to the plight of the alumni’s situation.
“They (Liz Murphy and Rhys Ahrenstein) had heard through the grapevine that not one, not two, but three classmates had lost everything in the Paradise fire the previous week,” said Galvez. “On Monday, Nov. 12, we called a meeting at my house. Two television stations showed up to cover our planning meeting.” A GoFundMe account, Chula Vista-Paradise Fire Relief, was set up and raised $9,689.
The combined events — the fundraiser, GoFundMe account and other activities raised around $17,000 according to Veronica Aguilera, the new owner of Diamond Jim’s Nightclub. Per Galvez, 100 percent of the proceeds went to the victims.
The Camp wildfire, which hit Nov. 8, is considered the deadliest — 86 perished — and most destructive wildfire in California’s history. Twenty thousand acres were destroyed in two days.
“The Chula Vista firefighters were in attendance at the fundraiser to assist with raising money for Chula Vista natives who lost everything,” said Tanner Lindsay, a firefighter/paramedic with the Chula Vista Fire Department. “The fundraiser had a great turnout. It was really great to see the community come together. The Chula Vista firefighters take every opportunity to serve our community whether it’s on or off the emergency scene.”
Alumni benefitting from the fundraiser include Andy Nodzak, class of ’85; Rick (Alonso) Kane, class of ’86; and Cynthia (Espinoza) Santanna, class of ’87.
Haydee Rodriguez, class of 2001 at Southwest High School, has family and friends in Chula Vista, was also added as a recipient along with three others.
“It’s very humbling because I never expected anyone to help,” said Haydee Rodriguez. “We lost everything. I’m in Washington state at my uncles.” Rodriguez, her husband Jared and three daughters are rebuilding their lives in Washington. Rodriguez did not attend the fundraiser but will benefit from their combined fundraising. “You live through it and you don’t have any choice but to move on.”
“It took five and a half hours to get told they were OK,” said Rodriguez. Her three daughters were evacuated from their schools even as she was evacuating her home with husband Jared.
“An ‘I love alebrije’ figure was the only thing found in the ashes,” said Rodriguez. An alebrije is a spirit animal figure from the movie “Coco.”
“For all of them to come together was amazing,” said Rick Kane, who attended the fundraiser. Kane, who lived in Paradise with his wife Julie and 11-year-old son Jackson, has since relocated to Redlands. He lost his home, his dog and a family member’s home as well. Kane will hold onto the land in Paradise but does not plan on returning. He will be looking for a new job in Redlands.
Clothes were the first items they bought with the money from the fundraiser. Porcelain Christmas ornaments used on a tree were the only items found in the ashes.
Three more fire victims besides Rodriguez were added after the fundraiser as they became known.
CVFD battalion Chief Darrell Roberts was a part of the San Diego Urban Search & Rescue California Task Force 8. They deployed to Butte County Nov. 19 to perform searches of structures and locate missing people.
Visit the GoFundMe account at Chula Vista Paradise Fire Relief Fundraiser to donate for their cause. Their goal is $30,000.
