Great story - Man provides 100 refurbished RVs to fire victims and emergency response teams

[Texas_mom]

Loved this story - reminds me that kindness is all around us.

 

Man Fixes and Delivers Old RVs to Wildfire Survivors for Free

October 19, 2021 by By Cathy Stack

Woody Faircloth and his 9-year-old daughter, Luna, spend much of their time on the road, on a heartfelt mission. Since 2018, the pair has personally delivered donated RVs to traumatized families who have lost their home in recent wildfires and other natural disasters. To date, they have donated nearly 100 RVs and have no plans of stopping.

Parts of California and the western U.S. have been devastated with wildfires as historic droughts have made the flames difficult to fight. Typically, wildfire victims must wait months for emergency housing. This leaves some residents living in tents or their cars while they wait. Woody found a way to urgently provide transitional housing to residents caught in this difficult situation. 

"The ongoing wildfires in California have devastated communities," Woody explained. "We want to find them all shelter as soon as possible."

Woody started a Colorado-based, 100% volunteer-run nonprofit organization named EmergencyRV.org to address the crisis. The nonprofit pairs people who are willing to donate their campers with displaced natural disaster victims who have lost their homes and all their worldly possessions. The organization only accepts motorhomes and trailers that are in good working condition. The RVs are refurbished and personally delivered to the new owners, who sometimes live hundreds of miles away. Woody explained that since their organization is grassroots, they can move a lot faster and provide help almost immediately. 

The idea originated one day when Woody watched the wildfire destruction that took place in the town of Paradise in northern California in 2018. Tens of thousands of residents were left homeless. As Woody watched the chaos unfold on the news from the comfort of his Colorado home, he wondered what his own family would do in a similar circumstance. He hoped someone would extend a helping hand. That was when he realized that he could become that support for others. He purchased an inexpensive motorhome from Craigslist and hit the road to offer his aid. He has been hitting the road ever since with RVs and his daughter in tow when the need arises. 

"My favorite part is helping others," Luna said. "And hanging out with my dad."

On a recent trip, EmergencyRV.org gave away its 96th RV to Carey Russell, a U.S. Navy veteran who lost his home to the Dixie Fire in California.

When social media posts about Woody and Luna’s road trips spread, offers of RVs poured in from donors. Woody now hopes to expand the volunteer effort. His goal is to stage RVs in hurricane and fire zones in the future to increase response times. The RVs also serve as housing for the dedicated first responders who need shelter for days as they tirelessly work to extinguish the fires and save homes. The firefighters are grateful for Woody’s RVs, for otherwise they must sleep in tents. 

PassItOn and the Foundation For A Better Life believe Woody and Luna Faircloth are true heroes for their caring action. They provide strangers with a place to call home during the worst times in their lives. They offer hope and healing to traumatized natural disaster victims who are left with nothing. Woody and Luna’s concern for the welfare of strangers is a great example of the value of empathy. Please help us honor these everyday heroes by sharing the inspiring story.

Watch Video Here:  https://youtu.be/YO0ouSJy8o0

Watch CNN Hero Nomination for Woody Faircloth Video Here: http://https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2019/08/08/cnnheroes-faircloth-mixed.cnn/video/playlists/2019-cnn-heroes/

Find out how you can help: https://rv4campfirefamily.org/

Please tell us about your everyday hero. The heroes among us are ordinary people whose actions leave a lasting and positive impact in their communities and demonstrate the potential in all of us. Their heroic acts uphold our shared values. Help honor these individuals by creating a billboard and sharing their story at: http://https://www.passiton.com/your-billboards/create

[bruce t]

The sad thing is that the media only wants negative headlines now days. These sorts of stories should be the headlines. We don't want doom and gloom. We want positive news.

thanks for sharing

[Texas_mom]

Thanks @BRUCE T- we can stay positive and focus on the good things life has - lucky us!

[Ray,IN]

Another sad thing; there are fields of FEMA trailers still stored in many states. sitting there rotting away.

Edited October 21, 2021 by Ray,IN

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

1 hour ago, Ray,IN said:

Another sad thing; there are fields of FEMA trailers still stored in many states. sitting there rotting away.

So many of the FEMA trailers had chemical off gassing issues that caused respiratory diseases in a bunch of people.  There were class action lawsuits over it.

But Forest River and Thor got rich, the guys hauling them got rich, the people that sold land to the government that the parks were put on got rich....

[bruce t]

Weren't the FEMA units built to be fixed in place? No holding tanks etc?

[Kirk W]

12 hours ago, Ray,IN said:

Another sad thing; there are fields of FEMA trailers still stored in many states. sitting there rotting away.

Post-Ida temporary trailers could arrive as soon as mid-October through state program

[Ray,IN]

Thanks for that link Kirk! Apparently FEMA has admitted they are too slow to be effective and turned it over to the state.

[Ray,IN]

23 hours ago, Alie&Jim's Carrilite said:

So many of the FEMA trailers had chemical off gassing issues that caused respiratory diseases in a bunch of people.  There were class action lawsuits over it.

But Forest River and Thor got rich, the guys hauling them got rich, the people that sold land to the government that the parks were put on got rich....

By now the off-gassing is completed, it was rated in months not years.