Sometimes the worst situations bring out the best in people. That really showed after the community rallied together to help a family who lost several homes to the Poeville Fire.
2 News spoke with Lewis Dawson a day after he found his home burnt to ashes.
After the fire raged through areas near Peavine Peak on June 27th, Dawson said he frequently visits the remnants of his home.
"I've been here every day just trying to process it. See if there's anything salvageable, searching for my wife's jewelry. Sifting, literally sifting through the ashes." said Dawson. "This was supposed to be our fresh start. I mean, now it's really really a fresh start.
Thankfully, he doesn't have to rebuild on his own. Since word got out of his family's tragic losses, many community members have stepped up to help.
Dawson said, "We've had a lot of people reach out and, you know, with prayers, clothes, some tools, even a couple of financial donations."
And it didn't stop there.
After hearing about Lewis Dawson and his family's losses through social media and news outlets, a couple, Farrah Downey and Ryan Downey made it their mission to find him and help. The Downey's operate their own business called Ground Game Government Affairs, which is a consulting agency, specializing in crisis relocation and providing services to those who are or about to experience homelessness. They also recommend resources and connections that may help people in specific situations. All of the services they provide are cost free.Â
"We do have couches and beds and TV's and stuff like that in a storage, so whenever we come across a family like this in need, we are able to really pull from those resources and kind of set a family up for success." Farrah Downey said.
2 News was able to connect the two parties and organize a meeting on Monday morning.
After the Downey's walked through the Dawson's property she Farrah Downey said, "Seeing it in person is just as devastating as when you hear somebody's lost everything. But when you smell it, when you walk up and smell the fire, that gives you a secondary sense of loss and it's really really sad. That's why it's really important for my husband and I to step up and help."
Farrah Downey also says it will not be an easy case considering the amount of destruction, which is why she says community support is needed now more than ever.Â
"We will definitely have our challenges but with the support from our community and Lewis' willingness to put in the work, we are confident we can get this family into a better situation than foreseeable possible." Farrah said.
Lewis, his wife and three teenagers are staying at the Atlantis Casino for a discounted rate, as they look at options for temporary housing. Lewis is also collecting unemployment at this time until he can collect tools he needs to return to his job.
The Downey's are hoping to collect monetary donations that can help cover costs of housing, or help purchase tools so Mr. Dawson can get back to work.Â
If you would like to help here's how:
Contact Lewis Dawson at (775)-502-5912
or call Farrah Downey at 775-357-0078, you can also email groundgamegovtaffairs@gmail.com or reach out on Facebook.
Original Story:
Lewis Dawson said that it only took a matter of minutes to lose everything he had. Dawson was at Lake Lahontan with his family, when the Poeville Fire devastated areas near Peavine Mountain. But as soon as he heard the news, he rushed home.
Family friends were able to evacuate five horses and five dogs before the fire reached the property, but everything else was burned.
"I got here in time to barely see everything go up and my family lost everything." Dawson said.
The eight acre property has been in the Dawson Family since the 1930's. Several of Lewis Dawson's family members reside in the land that once consisted of mobile homes, a workshop, a horse shelter, several cars, boats and ATVs.
Luckily, a house at the front of the property survived. Lewis Dawson's sister Kimberly Dawson, live there with other family members.Â
Among many other possessions incinerated by the fire, Dawson said losing his tools was the most devastating. Dawson isn't just the neighborhood's handyman and tool fanatic; he needs tools for his job, and a job to support his family.
After Dawson lost his job because of COVID-19, he was able to find a new construction job, specializing in installing pipes. However, his plan of returning to work is now put on hold because he needs tools to work.
Dawson says the fire may have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damages, and he doesn't know how if his homeowners insurance will cover it. And, aside from the monetary losses, Dawson says there are some things that just can't be replaced.
"There's things that our father wanted us to keep," Dawson said. "They're gone and it's just sad. But like I said we still have all of our family members, so we'll be fine.
To donate to Lewis Dawson or his sister that lost her home on the same property you can click the following links:
Lewis Dawson
His sister's houseÂ
Farrah Downey is also collecting any donations for the family— you can contact her here.
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