If you are viewing on the ABC10 app, tap here for multimedia.
Veronica Jawar was driving home to Paradise when she got word the city was being evacuated due to a wildfire.
She pushed through and almost made it home before being stopped and told it was too dangerous to continue. She called her daughter Cheyanne, who was home alone, and told her to get out and start running.
The 15-year-old ran until a stranger pulled over, picked her up, and drove her to safety. Since then, the two have been staying at a friend’s two-bedroom apartment. They are not the only ones; three other families are also living there.
The Whitmore family heard about Veronica after she posted on a Facebook page called “Paradise Adopt a family” asking for help. After connecting over the phone, the Whitmore family decided to drive the RV down to Chico from Oregon. They rallied their community of Beavercreek, Ore., received dozens of donations and packed the RV.
They arrived in Chico Wednesday afternoon. They were met by Veronica and her family in an empty Toys R Us parking lot. After hugs, tears and introductions, the Camp Fire survivors went up into the RV, where they say they felt safe for the first time in weeks.
Continue the conversation with Mayde on Facebook.