008: Day 1: TALK STORY with The Little Dozer with Ken Donnell and Nance Presser

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

 

Episode Description: 

“The critical resources we used for this were imagination and creativity— things that are always with us, even immediately after a disaster. And by doing this, we have helped ourselves heal ourselves, we've helped our community heal.” —Ken Donnell

 

“Children in our community haven't had the opportunity to share what happened to them.” —Nance Presser

 

After a disaster, children often don't have the opportunity to process and share their experiences. Their voices can get lost in the chaos of recovery. But one community found a way to empower their young ones to tell their stories.

Ken Donnell, the founder of the nonprofit The Gift of Music, wrote “The Little Dozer That Did” after observing a local rancher's heroic actions during the Dixie Fire. With the help of Nance Presser, the book transformed into a community-driven children's coloring book and musical play. Involving local artists and educators, the project empowered young survivors to share their own stories.

From using imagination as a critical resource for recovery to adapting the story for other disaster-affected areas, this conversation offers a blueprint for supporting and amplifying the voices of children in times of crisis. Listen in. 

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfterTheFireUSA
• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ

Highlights:

• 00:22 No Words Can Express
• 03:37 The Little Dozer
• 07:33 The Little Dozer in Spanish
• 09:01 The 3 Basic Tenets of Wildfire

 

👨🏻‍💼 Meet Ken Donnell, Author of “The Little Dozer That Did”

Ken Donnell is a Greenville resident who lost his home in the devastating Dixie Fire of 2021. Driven by a desire to help others cope with the trauma of displacement, he created "The Little Dozer that Did!", a children's coloring book based on the true story of a bulldozer that helped protect Greenville from the wildfire. Donnell found that the book has also resonated with adults, offering a positive way to process the emotional toll of the fire. Inspired by its success, he plans to write sequels about the Little Dozer's adventures, helping to heal and inspire others in the face of adversity.

 

👩🏻‍💼Meet Nance Presser, Editor, “The Little Dozer That Did”, Consultant at ReCoverCa

Nance Elaine Presser is a dedicated and driven professional with over 20 years of experience in health, wellness, and fitness. She has a proven track record of success, having owned and operated successful wellness studios offering massage therapy, yoga, and tai chi instruction.  

In 2014, Nance expanded her entrepreneurial endeavors into network marketing, becoming an affiliate for doTerra Essential Oils and Enagic.  The devastating Dixie Fire of 2021, which destroyed her studio, home, and town, led her to a new path in disaster recovery.  For three years, she served as the Disaster Case Management Coordinator for Plumas Rural Services in Quincy, CA, providing crucial support to those impacted by the fire.  

Now, Nance is honored to be part of the HCD ReCoverCA team, assisting disaster survivors in securing grants for home rebuilds, rehabilitation, and fire mitigation.  Beyond her full-time commitment to disaster recovery, Nance is passionate about empowering health and wellness leaders to achieve unlimited abundance through independent distributorship. 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nance-elaine-presser-25ab171a/