Littlest Camp Fire survivors ‘play princess’ for a day
OROVILLE — With sparkles and giggles and a dash of magic, 50 young girls who lost their homes in the Camp Fire last year were transformed into “Princesses for a Day,” thanks to Quota International and Rotary clubs of Gridley, Butte County Cattlewomen and the Miss Butte County Scholarship Program.
The event, held in the main cafeteria at Butte Community College in Oroville from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, was a ticketed event for girls ages 4 to 12, and their chaperones, to a take a break from the stress of recovery, said event coordinator Kari Wheeler with Quota International of Gridley.
“This has taken on a life of its own,” Wheeler said. “These girls are just so excited.”
Each girl was given a pageant sash, a wand and a tiara — and crowned as an honorary “Miss Butte County” for the day.
Taylor Lynch, 9, and her sister Dallas, 7, were brought to the event by their grandmother, Dianna Wright. The girls’ family had lived in Paradise for four generations, Wright said. They lost their home in the Camp Fire and are now living in Chico, and are homeschooled by their mother. Saturday’s event was the first time the girls have seen many of their friends from Paradise Elementary since Nov. 8, she said.
“It’s been a thrill for them to see their buddies,” Wright said. Taylor and Dallas said they planned to go home to their family’s rental in Chico and “play princess” with each other for the rest of the day.
All of the girls were greeted at the door by the county’s reigning scholarship winners, including Miss Butte County, Kirsten-Grace Baker, 18, who sat with each girl and welcomed them to her court with a gift card and a rose.
Baker said she was honored to meet each girl, especially because she is from Paradise, too.
“Being here and being able to talk to these girls and make their day a little bit better is so much fun,” she said.
Destiny Hamlett, of Concow, brought her three daughters, Azaria, 12; Melody, 9; and Sierra, 6.
“For the last four months, we were six people stuck in a motel room,” Hamlett said. “I think it’s good for them to have a day to themselves.” She said she’d love to see a similar day hosted for young boys, too.
Butte County Cattlewomen provided a beef hot dog lunch for all of the attendees and their chaperones, and activity stations included face painting, photos and frame-making, and a special goody bag given to every girl filled with nail polish, wands, jewelry and stickers.
“We’re making sure each girl is treated like a princess,” Wheeler said. “And that there’s still sunshine out there for them.”