Lemmon Valley • Troop 88 • Hawk Fire Recovery

Help the Opperman Family Rebuild

They’ve spent years showing up for our kids. Now it’s our turn to show up for them.

Luke Opperman, his wife Hilery, and their two daughters have given countless hours to the Scouts and families of Troop 88 in Lemmon Valley. Their longtime family home was destroyed in the Hawk Fire. Now our community is coming together to help them recover and rebuild.

Help the Family Business Challenge
A community-led effort supporting a family that has spent years serving local Scouts, families, and young people.
Their Story

When the Fire Started, Luke Was Taking Care of the Scouts

When the Hawk Fire began, Luke Opperman and his family were away on a Scout backpacking trip with Troop 88.

As the situation became more serious, Luke’s wife and their two teenage daughters left the trip to try to evacuate their home.

Luke stayed behind with the Scouts.

Even while knowing that the home he had lived in and worked on for nearly 40 years was in danger, his first responsibility was making sure the kids in his care got home safely to their families.


But the same family that has spent years supporting Troop 88 isn't facing what comes next alone.

The Kind of Leader He Is

While his own home was at risk, Luke stayed with the Scouts until he knew they were safe.

That moment says a lot about the calm, dependable leadership Luke has brought to Troop 88 for years.

Meet the Oppermans

A Family That Shows Up

For the Oppermans, Scouting isn't just an activity on the calendar. It has become something their family does together, giving their time, knowledge, energy, and plenty of weekends to the Scouts of Troop 88 and North Valleys Community.

Scoutmaster • Eagle Scout

Luke

Luke has been part of Troop 88 for about five years and has served as its lead Scoutmaster for nearly two. An Eagle Scout himself, he brings a lifetime of Scouting and outdoor knowledge to the troop.

What makes Luke special as a leader is his approach. He doesn't simply give Scouts the answer or do things for them. With a calm, patient energy, he guides them toward figuring things out for themselves, building capable, confident young leaders along the way.

Treasurer • Adult Leader

Hilery

Luke isn't doing this alone. His wife is an important part of Troop 88's leadership as the troop treasurer and an active female adult leader.

In a family troop serving both boys and girls, committed adult leaders are essential. She and Luke work side by side on many outings, helping make the experiences our Scouts enjoy possible.

A Scouting Family

The Opperman Family

Their two teenage daughters are involved in Troop 88 as well, with both having high Scout ranks and leadership rolls. Scouting is truly a family commitment for the Oppermans.

Between meetings, planning, campouts, hikes, backpacking trips, finances, equipment, transportation, and countless small jobs that happen behind the scenes, the Oppermans are one of the main teams helping keep Troop 88 moving.

Leading by example. Luke has spent years helping Troop 88 Scouts learn, grow, and become confident leaders.
A team on and off the trail. Luke and his wife are a familiar presence together on Troop 88 outings and activities.
Scouting as a family. For the Oppermans, Troop 88 has been something the whole family shares.
Behind the Scenes

Luke helps plan the logistics of campouts and hikes, hauls the troop trailer, and even stores it at his home. Unfortunately, the trailer and most of troop 88's camping supplies were lost in the fire. We will need to get a new trailer out fitted with gear immediately so we can get the Scouts out and active again as soon as possible.  

The Opperman family's Lemmon Valley home before the Hawk Fire.
More Than a House

Nearly 40 Years of Work, Memories, and Life

Luke and his family didn't simply live in this house, they made it their home. Luke spent nearly 40 years working on it, improving it, caring for it, and making it his own.

Over decades, a home becomes a collection of projects, memories, routines, family milestones, and countless small pieces of a life. There was real blood, sweat, and tears invested in this place.

The Hawk Fire took that home in a matter of hours. What was lost can't be measured only in walls, furniture, or belongings. It represented almost four decades of Luke and his families life and work.

Rebuilding isn't only about replacing a structure. It's about helping a family begin creating a home again.

More Was Lost

A Lifetime of Outdoor Gear

The family also lost a large portion of the outdoor equipment they had accumulated over the years. Gear used for camping, backpacking, hiking, swimming, water activities, and family adventures.

For a family who spends so much time outdoors and helps introduce young people to those experiences, this wasn't simply equipment sitting in storage. It was part of a lifestyle they shared with other families and the Scouts they mentor.

What Comes Next

Rebuilding More Than a House

The Hawk Fire didn't just take a building. It changed everyday life for an entire family. Luke, Hilery, and their two daughters are now facing the long process of replacing what was lost, finding stability, and eventually creating a place that feels like home again.

A Place to Call Home

A home is where a family's normal life happens; meals, celebrations, quiet evenings, school mornings, projects, pets, traditions, and memories. Rebuilding means creating that sense of home again, one step at a time.

Replacing Everyday Life

Recovery includes countless things most of us rarely think about until they're gone; clothing, household necessities, personal belongings, tools, equipment, family items, and all the small things accumulated over years of living in one place.

Finding Their New Normal

Luke, Hilery, and their daughters are going through this together. The goal of this community effort is to give the family some breathing room while they navigate the decisions, challenges, and unknowns that come after losing a longtime home.

Why We're Here

No Family Should Have to Rebuild Alone

There is no single donation, gift, or act of kindness that can replace nearly four decades of family life.

But hundreds of people doing something small, friends, Scout families, neighbors, local businesses, and people who simply want to help, can make the road ahead a little easier.

Troop 88 • Lemmon Valley

A Troop Built on Service, Leadership, and Showing Up

Troop 88 has been part of the Lemmon Valley Scouting community for many years, giving young people opportunities to learn leadership, responsibility, self-reliance, teamwork, service, and outdoor skills.

Campouts, hikes, backpacking trips, service projects, advancement, and leadership development do not happen on their own. Every experience depends on adults willing to plan, prepare, teach, transport, organize, mentor, troubleshoot, and give up their own evenings and weekends for the Scouts.

Leadership
Learning to make decisions, lead others, and take responsibility.
Outdoor Skills
Camping, hiking, backpacking, preparedness, and confidence outdoors.
Service
Learning that being part of a community also means giving back to it.
Mentorship
Adults guiding young people toward confidence, independence, and character.
The Oppermans and Troop 88

Luke and his wife have become one of the primary leadership teams behind many Troop 88 outings. Luke brings deep Scouting and outdoor knowledge, while his wife supports the troop as treasurer and as an active female adult leader.

Their daughters are part of the troop as well, making Scouting a true family commitment. For the Oppermans, these trips, meetings, and weekends are not something they simply attend — they help make them possible.

A Scouting Principle
“Help other people at all times.”

The Oppermans have lived that idea through years of service to Troop 88. Now the community has a chance to put the same principle into action for them.

Ways to Help

There’s More Than One Way to Show Up

Whether you can donate, share the page, offer a useful service, or connect the family with someone who can help, every bit of support matters.

Donate

Give Directly

Financial support gives the family flexibility to handle immediate needs and the many unexpected costs that come with recovery.

Donate
Share

Spread the Word

Sharing this page with friends, family, coworkers, Scout families, and local community groups can introduce their story to people who may want to help.

Goods & Services

Offer Something Useful

Local contractors, tradespeople, service providers, and community members may be able to help with materials, labor, household needs, or other practical support.

Local Businesses

Join the Challenge

Reno and Sparks businesses can make a contribution, offer a service, or challenge another local business to join the effort.

Learn More
Northern Nevada Business Challenge

Local Businesses Helping a Local Family

Participating businesses can make a contribution to the Opperman family and then challenge another Reno or Sparks business to do the same. The goal is simple: create momentum and widen the circle of support.

Businesses may also choose to donate useful services, materials, employee matching, or other support that helps the family during recovery and rebuilding.

$250
Community Supporter
$500
Community Partner
$1,000
Community Champion
$2,500+
Lead Supporter
The Road Home

Recovery Will Happen One Step at a Time

This page will be updated as the family’s needs change and as progress is made. Check back for fundraising updates, rebuilding milestones, current needs, and ways the community can continue helping.

Opperman Family Recovery Fund

Help the Family Move Forward

Donations can help the Opperman family replace necessities, manage the unexpected costs of recovery, and begin rebuilding the home and life they lost in the Hawk Fire.

Donate to the Family
Recovery Updates

Follow the Family’s Progress

[08/24/26]
New Discoveries
Today, the Oppermans went to check out what was left of their home. Although devastating, it brings closure to actually see what the true reality is. 

Current Needs

What Would Help Right Now

[family-approved needs like gift cards, household items, professional services, building materials, outdoor gear, or other assistance.]

A Community Showing Up

Every Act of Support Matters

The Opperman family has spent years giving their time to others. Now friends, Scout families, neighbors, local businesses, and people throughout Northern Nevada are helping return that kindness.

Scout Families

Families who have shared campouts, hikes, meetings, and years of Scouting with the Oppermans.

Friends & Neighbors

People helping with encouragement, practical support, donations, and the everyday needs of recovery.

Local Businesses

Reno and Sparks businesses contributing funds, materials, services, and community connections.

Volunteers

People offering their time, skills, labor, and expertise as the family moves forward.

Thank You

Businesses & Community Partners

We are grateful to every business, organization, and individual helping the Opperman family. Supporters can be recognized here as the campaign grows.



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Together We Can Help

Let’s Help Them Come Home.

No one person has to carry the entire burden. A community doing a little together can make an enormous difference for a family facing a long road back.

Help the Opperman Family Join the Business Challenge