In response to firestorms that ravaged communities in Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, and Napa counties, a North Bay Fire Relief Fund has been created by Redwood Credit Union (RCU) Community Fund in partnership with the Press Democrat and California Senator Mike McGuire (District 2, North Bay).
The California fires left many people without homes, without jobs, and even took people’s lives.
In Sonoma County alone, “At least 23 people are dead, 6,800 buildings destroyed and thousands of residents displaced,” according to Kevin McCallum and J.D. Morris writing for the Press Democrat. The authors describe these firestorms as “the most devastating wildfires in state history.”
The primary purpose of the Fire Relief Fund is to support: fire victims in the four affected counties who have lost their homes; emergency responders who lost homes while fighting fires and protecting our communities; and children and schools, both public and private, in the four counties impacted by the fires.
As of viewing on Monday, Oct. 23, the Fire Relief Fund had distributed or committed $7.2 million.
Some funds were provided to Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB), which is providing immediate food to fire victims in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake counties. Funds were also distributed to Community Action Napa Valley (CANV), which is providing food to fire victims in Napa County.
To support fire victims’ immediate short and mid-term housing needs, the Fire Relief Fund has partnered with Petaluma People Service Center. If you have been displaced by the fires, contact PPSC at 707-765-8488 or sharefire@petalumapeople.org.
The Fire Relief Fund encourages fire victims to register immediately with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). They can do so at Local Assistance Centers available in each of the four affected counties, or online or by phone: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or 800-621-3362.
Donations to the North Bay Fire Relief Fund can be made online, by visiting a RCU branch or by mailing checks payable to RCU Community Fund to P.O. Box 6104, Santa Rosa CA 95406. Please include “2017 North Bay Fire Relief” in the memo area, and designate which county or “All” that you’d like to support.
https://rcu-community-fund.squarespace.com/donate/
RCU is covering all administrative costs, so 100-percent of all donations will go to fire victims and relief efforts. Donations are “tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.”
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