Dad and daughter donate RVs to people left homeless by wildfires

By Harrison Moore via SWNS

A father and daughter have donated nearly 200 motorhomes to homeless victims of wildfires since the deadly 2018 California disaster.

Dad Woody Faircloth, 53, was horrified when he watched news coverage of the Camp Fire catastrophe, which burned thousands of homes to the ground and killed at least 85 people.

After watching a man abandon his home in an RV to escape the blaze, Woody and daughter Luna, nine, forged a plan to deliver a free mobile home to another victim.

Within three days they raised $2,500 to buy an RV from Craigslist. They then drove it for 20 hours to a homeless family.

That first act of kindness kickstarted their project. They have since delivered nearly 200 RVs across the US.

Woody, from Denver, Colorado, said: "When I was watching the news, these poor people's homes had been completely destroyed.

"I turned to Luna and said 'why don’t we give an RV to someone in California who’s lost their home?’

"She replied, ‘I think God and Santa Claus would be very proud of us.’

"From that moment it was decided, and three days later we were on the road, driving to California to help our first wildfire victim.

"Since then I've traveled thousands of miles with Luna at my side on a mission to help those who need it most."

Woody Faircloth and his daughter Luna donate RVs to people whose homes were destroyed by wildfires

Woody Faircloth and his daughter Luna donate RVs to people whose homes were destroyed by wildfires

Woody Faircloth and his daughter Luna donate RVs to people whose homes were destroyed by wildfires

They started a non-profit called emergencyrv.org

Woody Faircloth and his daughter Luna donate RVs to people whose homes were destroyed by wildfires

Woody Faircloth and his daughter Luna donate RVs to people whose homes were destroyed by wildfires

Woody Faircloth and his daughter Luna donate RVs to people whose homes were destroyed by wildfires

Woody Faircloth and his daughter Luna donate RVs to people whose homes were destroyed by wildfires

Woody Faircloth and his daughter Luna donate RVs to people whose homes were destroyed by wildfires

"People are blown away by the fact these strangers have shown up from all over the country with a motorhome that they’re just giving away.

"It's an amazing feeling when you see what it means to people in these situations."

The father-of-four, who works in the telecoms industry, founded charity EmergencyRV.org

Wildfire survivors can apply for an RV and members of the public can get in contact to donate one, via a website.

As word spread on social media, donors started offering Woody their motorhomes, with some even offering to drop off the RVs themselves.

The non-profit is run entirely on volunteer efforts and donated RVs, with the aim of giving victims a place to stay while waiting months for emergency housing.

While those who are given RVs do own them, Woody estimates around 10% give them back when they get a new home.

He recently helped victims of the Dixie Fire in California in July.

Woody is keen to expand the charity and give aid to victims of other natural disasters. Next month he is driving his first RV to a flood victim in South Carolina.

"There are over 100 families on our waiting list who have applied for a motorhome, lots of whom are victims of the Dixie Fire in California," he said.

"Our aim is to help as many of these people as we possibly can, and give families a safe place to live, whether that be long or short term.

"Providing someone with shelter is a powerful thing, and it's difficult to put into words the difference it makes to these people’s lives."