The recent Camp Fire wildfire in Northern California was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history to date, and a broker out of John L. Scott’s Salem West office banded together with the rest of her office to provide assistance to one family affected by the fire. John L. Scott broker Jerusha Malaer and her husband had purchased a RV earlier this year for Jerusha’s father to use on a long drive this summer, and put it on Craigslist when the trip was completed. In the midst of the destructive Camp Fire, three families from Northern California reached out to Jerusha, hoping to buy the RV after their homes burned down.
Seeing an opportunity to do more than just sell an RV, Jerusha emailed her colleagues a day before she planned to drive the RV seven hours down to Chico, California, and ended up collecting donations of cash and items that she would use to fully stock the RV. In an effort to make the RV as “home-like” as possible, with the help of donations from the Salem West office, Jerusha stocked the RV with food, blankets, cooking utensils, dishes, safety items and even John L. Scott-branded blankets emblazoned with “Home Sweet Home.”
Jerusha sold the RV for $5,000 less than what they paid for it and drove it down to Northern California at no expense to Autumn Grobbel, who lives in it with her younger daughter, Julia, a dog and a cat. Her two older sons also lived in the RV with her before they found places to stay. The moment when Jerusha was able to hand over the RV keys was emotional and joyful, and she’s kept in touch with Autumn, who is planning to purchase a home from Jerusha and start a new life in Oregon. Thanks for Living Life as a Contribution, Jerusha and John L. Scott Salem West!
