A family in Marin wants to share their experience of helping to adopt a Paradise family, which lost their house and belongings to the Camp Fire.

As they told KRON4, you don’t necessarily need to donate money or travel up to Paradise to help in a big way–you can do it from your couch.

Jennifer Harris-Marks, who lives in San Rafael, knew she wanted to help one of the thousands of Paradise families in need but did not know where to start until she came across the Paradise fire Adopt-A-Family Facebook page.

“You could connect with real people in need of help in real time,” Harris-Marks said.

She adopted the Baker family–mom Karla, dad Marvin, and their twin 17-year-olds Nicholas and Kirsten-Grace. The Bakers lost their Paradise home and almost all of their belongings.

Jennifer is trying to find them housing–a trailer, a rental, anything.

“Housing is No. 1 issue up there,” Harris-Marks said. “People need a place to go.”

As she researches for housing opportunities online for the Bakers, she talks to them almost daily, trying to help with smaller needs like Kirsten-Grace needed a Spanish-English dictionary.

“She is in Spanish class and did not want to fall behind,” Harris-Marks said.

So, Jennifer posted on Nextdoor looking for someone to donate the dictionary. It did not take long, and now, that is one need resolved.

Another need–Kirsten-Grace is the current reigning Ms. Butte County, but she lost all of her dresses so Jennifer posted on Facebook.

“People were willing to donate dresses and help her out,” Harris-Marks said.

LINKS:

Baker Family Venmo donate – @Karla-Baker-10

Adopt a family Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/paradisefireadoptafamily/about/

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