[UPDATE Tuesday] Thief Steals Statue From 83-Year-Old Survivor of the Camp Fire
Donna Drickey posing near her home and her St. Francis statue.
A woman who survived the Camp Fire last year with only a few belongings had one of them, a statue of St. Francis of Assisi taken recently.
Donna Drickey told us she lived in Magalia near Paradise for 31 years before having to flee. She eventually settled into a little mobile home on Deborah Drive in McKinleyville.
The St. Francis statue that was taken.
The Camp Fire had consumed most of her belongings. But, she wrote, “My daughter went over to the ash filled remains of my lot and was able to retrieve a few items…My special concrete statue of St. Francis of Assisi, weighing many lbs., was among the items.”
Drickey said, “We placed it in front among the flower pots next to house. As a survivor of the fires, it meant the world to me and my family. I just discovered that it was stolen and removed (as heavy as it was) and am heartbroken that this new life I’ve tried to establish has been tarnished by such an act.”
If anyone has any information about the statue, please contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department in McKinleyville at (707) 839-6600.
“This has hit me hard and I doubt anyone would realize it’s importance in my life,” Drickey told us. “At 83 it has been a real challenge to start life over in a new area and gradually try to replace all the things we take for granted. I am grateful to have survived the fire and feel I have made great strides to create a new life. I never have experienced any loss of this type and to have it happen after all that has happened makes it almost devastating to me. Such a simple thing but with great meaning for me.”
UPDATE Tuesday: ‘Miracles Do Happen’, Says Camp Survivor Whose Stolen St. Francis Statue Was Just Returned
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
Oh he better not have robbed her “stature” Kym she’s too strong for that .
Some dummy stole a pig statue out of a fire razed neighborhood too!
Ugh…Fixed now.
Holy Cow! [edit] We need to find this.
I hope this sweet lady gets her statue back a million fold
Hi Kym, this isn’t for posting – it’s just that pesky “its it’s” thing at the end of the article…
“”This has hit me hard and I doubt anyone would realize it’s importance in my life,” Drickey told us.”
Many thanks for all you do, Vicki
You automatically posted. When a reporter quotes someone, they aren’t supposed to edit their grammar without making it obvious such as putting in brackets. In this case I thought it would be more distracting than leaving the apostrophe. Apparently I was wrong as you aren’t the only one who has mentioned. it.
In case Donna is reading this; I hope you get your statue back. And also, did you have a cat or cats in Butte county?
Many people don’t realize that hundreds of cats survived the fire and are now, even six months later, still being reunited with their people. Here’s a link to the main organization doing this;
https://www.campfirepetrescue.org/?fbclid=IwAR2rj2drVEFf8pAP52df1A-mMcX8L06eHtYJE6WQ_1liBMrq4Yf-N7-J2RE
If you are not missing a cat, but you know of other fire survivors who are, please tell them about this? Hundreds of rescued fire cats are waiting in foster care, right now, for their people to come get them.
Good Call! So many forget about this!
Pieces of shit will steal anything. We had a little concrete statuette of an angel on our front porch for many, many years. It came up missing a few months ago, then my wife spotted it just two blocks away, on someone’s front step. It had a broken wing, and the neck was broken, but it had been hand-painted by my sister-in-law, and there was no mistaking it.
I knocked on the door and asked where they’d gotten it. The woman said her sister had given it to her, and slammed the door in my face.
It’s back where it started now, a little the worse for wear, but an angel? And a statue of St. Francis? What are they thinking?
We had one stolen from our front yard many years ago right near there. I was very upset. It had belonged to my husband’s grandmother.
Fricking thieves! There’s no excuse for that! I hope they bring it back or leave it with someone who will return it to her.
Only a low life scumbag would do such a thing 🙁
looks like saint christopher. looks like the idol couldnt protect its self
No, it doesn’t.
It’s, as it says in the story, St. Francis. And it’s a statue, not a saint. Statues are not magic. Sheesh…
Some are.
Tweeker thieves suck! If you are a tweeker thief, just know you are a parasite that needs to be eradicated!
This is so upsetting, poor lady. I’ll donate at least $50 reward for return of her treasure. I dont know her but dam it people. Stop stealing!!!!
Ill throw in $50 as well. My mother is a victim of the camp fire too. Hey Kym, if you are reading this, could you update the article to reflect reward money is available? Send me an e-mail if the $ is needed.
Me, too! Me and my friend can donate $40. Thanks, Nancy and Ty, for the good idea. Please send us an e-mail to let us know where to send a check.
Me three!
Ty, this is outside my level of expertise. I think legally someone needs to hold the money? I’m not sure.
Dear Donna,
I’m so sorry to hear this. I really hope your statue gets returned intact. I commend you for all your strength in starting a new life, and I sincerely hope that you’ll meet neighbors and friends who are good people, because you very much deserve to be welcome here.
P.S. If I meet you in town, I will have a smile and a hello for you.
P.P.S. St. Francis is also my favorite saint.
Best wishes to you,
Lisa
Just occurred to me, too, that if the exact statue can’t be found, the reward money could be used to purchase a replacement. I understand that it wouldn’t have the same exact sentimental value, but, just a thought…
It’s upsetting to have gone though such trials and yet not let be to enjoy what remains. I’m sorry and hope that this article is read by someone able to return it. It can never mean more to anyone else.
Bring St. Frances back right now scum bag !
Hey everyone, lets get a go fund me account set up for this lady. The money either goes to a reward fund, or a replacement statue. All excess funds should go to a charity of the victims choice.
Hey everyone, let’s also start a gofundme for the 5 Hart Children Memorial plaque/statue that were murdered.
May the children rest in peace…
Ty, that sounds super.
Who here knows how to set up an account, with all of the appropriate and official information and everything?
We should post the link right here!
If you want to be connected to Ty, send me an email and he has given me permission to provide you his with his. My email is [email protected]
Hi, everyone. I just got off the phone with Donna, and she is every bit as sweet and charming as we all imagined! She said that she’s been moved emotionally in a positive way by all of the comments that have poured in wishing for the safe return of her beloved statue. And for all who wanted to donate, she said that she appreciates it very much, but she doesn’t want any money, because money just isn’t capable of replacing memories. So there is no need to donate. The best we can do is hope that someone finds the statue, who has the where-with-all and the means to return it.
In the meantime, folks could maybe leave flowers, or pretty potted plants, as she enjoys gardening. She said she still misses the beautiful garden she had before the fire.
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred,
let me sow love;
where there is injury,
pardon;
where there is doubt,
faith;
where there is despair,
hope;
where there is darkness,
light;
and where there is sadness,
joy.
O Divine Master, grant
that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood
as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we
receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that
we are born to eternal life. Amen
https://francisassisist.weebly.com/st-francis-of-assisi-prayer.html
I hope they find peace by returning the symbolic reminder of peace.
That is so awesome. Thank you so much for sharing.
Yes!