Fire Fighter Daughter Helps Natural Disaster Victims

Ashlee with her dad, Storey County, NV Local 4227 fire fighter Kevin Smith

July 9, 2008 – Personal loss has inspired the nine-year-old daughter of a Storey County, NV Local 4227 fire fighter to help others. Kevin Smith’s daughter, Ashlee, has collected toys by the semi-truck full for children affected by fire and natural disasters – a project she calls “Ashlee’s Closet.” Her latest toy drive is for victims of the California wildfires.

In 2005, when the Smiths’ home caught fire, most of the damage was in Ashlee’s room. The family had to replace everything, including her toys.

When the Angora Fire broke out near South Lake Tahoe, California, in 2007, Ashlee’s dad was among the fire fighters called to respond. Nearly 300 homes were damaged or destroyed. Ashlee told her parents that she wanted to do a toy drive for the children there.

When her parents asked her why, Ashlee said, “Because most charities help adults and not kids.” The Smiths agreed that was true and Ashlee’s Closet was born.

Ashlee was not shy about asking for donations from citizens and businesses. She collected toys, books, clothes and other items. Later, she distributed the items, personally, at a South Lake Tahoe farmer’s market.

When the Fernley, Nevada, levee broke earlier this year, hundreds of homes were flooded. Once again, Ashlee sprung into action. This time, she wrote countless letters to businesses, requesting donations. Unfortunately, someone broke into the semi-truck where the items were stored and stole most of what was inside.

But Ashlee remained determined to help and eventually was able to replace the stolen items and get them out to flood victims.

Ashlee is now working to help the victims of the wildfires now raging in California.

For more information, visit the Ashlee’s Closet web site.