LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two local families impacted by recent tragedies are the focus of new online fundraisers.
Fundraisers on Go Fund Me have been set up for the wife and children of Brandon Helmer, 26, of Kelseyville, who was killed in a vehicle crash last Saturday, and for Kelsey Saunders and her boyfriend, whose home recently was destroyed by fire.
Brandon Helmer was the sole provider for his family, which includes wife Katie, three young daughters and a baby due next June, according to the fundraiser page created by family members, http://www.gofundme.com/5nt0ro .
The couple recently purchased a home and Katie Helmer homeschools their children, based on the report from family members.
The fundraiser for the Helmer family has a $50,000 goal.
Arlene Green set up an online fundraiser at http://www.gofundme.com/5n055k for one of her foster children, Kelsey Saunders of Clearlake, who along with her boyfriend recently lost all of her belongings when their rental home burned.
They're currently staying in a camper on someone else's property, which isn't an ideal situation, especially because of the winter temperatures. Green said the goal is to get them back into a home as soon as possible.
Green set a $1,000 goal to help raise first, last and a utilities deposit for the couple. By Monday night she had raised just over $700.
Donations of household items – dishes, pots and pans, small appliances and toiletries – and clothing also are welcome, said Green. Clothing sizes are women's pants, 1 through 3; shirts in size small; shoes in sizes 7 through 7 and a ½ ; and men's pants 36 32, shirts XXL, and shoes 11 through 12.
Green said donations can be sent to Saunders in care of the Clearlake Youth Center, 14750 Golf Ave. in Clearlake; or to Green at 3144 Eighth St. in Clearlake.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.