Benefit Dinner to Help Former High West Employee Impacted by California Fire

Former High West Energy employee Rick Scott, his wife Shelle and their two daughters lived in Paradise, California when most of the town was destroyed by the wildfires earlier this month. While they are deeply grateful to have escaped the blaze unharmed, they now face a long and challenging road to begin the rebuilding process.

On Friday, November 30, from 4-8 p.m., High West Energy, Pine Bluffs Distilling and the Pine Bluffs Volunteer Fire Department are working together to hold a benefit dinner, silent auction and raffle with all proceeds going to help the family. The event is being held at Pine Bluffs Distilling (322 N. Beech Street, Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, 82082). For $15, those in attendance will get a pulled pork sandwich, sides and a drink. Tickets can be purchased at the door (cash or check is preferred).

“The enormity of the generosity from the town we still think of as home can’t even be explained,” wrote Shelle Scott on Facebook. “Rick, the girls and I have been extremely fortunate in all of this. Yes, our new home of Paradise is likely 90% obliterated, but we are safe. We drove through flames evacuating with Rick even abandoning his vehicle and running for safety at one point.”

“Thank you all for all the help, even if it is just sending any good thoughts, vibes, or even if you pray for us,” wrote Rick Scott. “We appreciate all anybody does for us or for the good of humanity. I will at some point come to Pine Bluffs to thank you all in person as soon as our world normalizes a bit.”

Brandon Wheeler, a High West Energy lineman, is donating a 5.56/.233 Anderson AR-15 rifle, valued at more than $600. Raffle tickets are $100, and only a limited number of tickets will be available. Anyone interested in donating items for the silent auction can contact Jim East, High West’s Communications and Marketing Manager, at 307-245-4351 or jeast@highwestenergy.com.

Those who cannot attend the dinner but would like to help can contact the Farmers State Bank in Pine Bluffs at 307-245-3221 and ask to donate to the Scott Family Benefit account.

“The fire, the evacuation, the nothingness that is now Paradise, it’s unfathomable,” wrote Shelle. “Please know that we are strong – we will get through this because we have amazing and extraordinary friends. I can’t thank all of you enough. Ever. But I promise you that we will try, and we feel your love!

For more information:

• Information about benefit dinner: https://www.facebook.com/events/631355893933287/
• To donate money to account set up for Scott Family: https://www.bankinwyo.com/
• For more information, or to donate items for the silent auction, please call (307) 245-4351 or email jeast@highwestenergy.com