Gary Hall Jr. Loses Home, Olympic Medals in Devastating California Wildfire (Link to GoFundMe)
At least five people have been killed and thousands of homes have been destroyed in Southern California amid numerous raging wildfires that have broken out within the past two days. Among the affected is 10-time Olympic medalist Gary Hall Jr., who lost his home in Pacific Palisades and almost all his possessions.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Hall in his attempts to rebuild following the destruction. The page has a goal of raising $10,000, and a message atop the page tells the story of Hall quickly evacuating his home and leaving most of his possessions, including his Olympic medals, behind.
“Gary Jr. lost his home and his livelihood in the devastating Palisades Fire on January 7th. Gary saw flames out his window while he was at home before collecting his dog, Puddles, his insulin, a painting of his grandfather, and a religious wooden piece his daughter Gigi gave him and drove towards the ocean as quickly as possible. He was forced to leave behind everything else he owned, such as irreplaceable family heirlooms, photos, and more. He has also most likely lost his ten Olympic medals, but nothing can take away his spirit that won those medals.
“Gary was renting a home located right in the middle of the Palisades Fire which had a pool where he taught swim lessons to children through his business, Sea Monkeys Swimming. Gary Jr. and Puddles were able to get a hotel last night and they drove to stay with family in San Diego today, Wednesday Jan 8.
“If Gary Jr. has impacted your life in a positive way somehow over the years, please consider supporting him to restart his life. The funds raised will be used to buy clothes and necessities. Gary’s family is supporting him as best we can and we turn to our strong swimming and friends community for additional help. Thank you! We will update as we find out more.”
Hall’s father, three-time Olympic medalist Gary Hall Sr., wrote in a Facebook post, “Life can throw some pretty tough punches, and yesterday, Gary Jr received one. Today, he has to start life over with nothing. Even his livelihood of teaching young children to swim in his backyard was taken away. He will bounce back. Hopefully, he will retain the same spirit that enabled him to win those ten Olympic medals. Please keep him in your prayers, along with all of the other families devastated by these California fires.”
Hall Jr. swam in the Olympic Games in 1996, 2000 and 2004, capturing back-to-back Olympic titles in the 50 freestyle in 2000 and 2004, tying with training partner Anthony Ervin on the first occasion before vanquishing another familiar foe, Duje Draganja, by one hundredth in his title defense. Hall Jr. also winning three relay golds, silvers behind Alexander Popov in both sprint events in 1996 and 100 free bronze in 2000. He retired after an attempted comeback to try to qualify for the 2008 Olympic team ended in the 50 free final at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
tragic for so many. So sorry Gary. . look into Cestui Que Trust (bonded/securitized BIRTHCERT/SS#,HJR192,it´s paperwork to get it back. Admin offices will NOT help you). .but also ASK questions about the 150 US patents on weather manipulation. They CAN make it rain, dissolve a hurricane or tornado too. .but DON´T. WTF DO those ¨SMART¨meters REALLY do? Collab w/the people of Paradise & Lahaina too. Obtain the MAP of their planned future 15min ai Palantir surveillance cities, so we´d KNOW well in advance before their next ¨forest¨ fires.