Spokane, Wash. — As wildfire survivors in the Spokane area work to rebuild their lives, a significant resource remains underutilized: financial assistance from the Red Cross.
While many support programs exist for people who lost their homes in the Old Trails Fire, the Red Cross reports that only 40 to 50% of eligible residents have actually applied for the financial aid being offered.
The amount of assistance varies based on several factors, including family size. One family who lost their home in Five Mile received $800 the day after they applied.
MacKensie and Kory Aspaas lived in their home for five years before the Old Trails Fire, but they were away when the fire happened. When they returned, they faced the daunting reality of starting over.
“It was just the process of getting back into town knowing that we weren’t coming home really,” MacKensie Aspaas said.
The family discovered the Red Cross assistance program at the Disaster Assistance Center. Initially, they hesitated to accept the help, concerned that other families might be in greater need. That reluctance changed as they learned more about the program’s purpose.
“Just the overwhelming sense that we have had from every one of these resources has been like, ‘No, this is for you. You are the reason we’re providing this service. And so, just that reminder and kind of the OK to accept those things was huge,'” MacKensie Aspaas said.
James Jarvis, director of external relations for the American Red Cross, emphasized that declining assistance does not benefit other families.
“We’re trying to reach everybody whose home had major damaged or was destroyed. We would love to be able to provide you with financial assistance. It’s a gift from our donors, and every little bit helps, I know, as you’re trying to pick up the pieces,” Jarvis said.
The Red Cross assistance represents one piece of a larger recovery puzzle for families like the Aspaas family. Even with the financial support, they estimate it could take several years to rebuild their home completely. Despite the long road ahead, they remain hopeful about their future.
When they first returned to their property after the fire, the family discovered something unexpected still standing near the driveway: a rubber elephant toy belonging to their son. The discovery became a powerful symbol of resilience.
“It just brought us a sense of like, ‘So much was gone, but we do have this one thing that is so representative of perseverance and kind of making it through everything that happened,'” MacKensie Aspaas said.
For those who lost homes in the fires, the Red Cross financial assistance is available through August 30th. People can apply by visiting a Red Cross intake center, going to the organization’s website or giving them a call.
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