Donation Drive for Valley Fire Victims

With Lake County communities devastated by the destructive Valley Fire, state senator Mike McGuire, who represents the region has begun a fund-raising drive to help fire victims. Hundreds of homes and businesses have been lost in the enormous blaze.

Lake County can use the help, with so many impacted by the disaster. The Eureka Times-Standard reports on the senator’s campaign. “We need to come together and help our neighbors,” McGuire says. “When I was in Middletown, I had the opportunity to talk with veteran firefighters who’ve seen the worst of the worst, and they’ve never seen anything like the Valley Fire.”

The Valley Fire started Sept. 12th, and has destroyed property and left hundreds homeless. The scope of the fire extends throughout the region. Over 70,000 acres have burned, and more than 1200 firefighters are working to control the fire. One person is confirmed dead in the blaze. The chaotic emergency evacuations have left some 13,000 people displaced. Officials have termed the fire the ninth most destructive wildfire in state history. As of Wednesday, 603 structures have burned, with that number likely to increase.

Many evacuees, while relieved at surviving the fire, have lost everything – homes, pets, and mementos left behind in the emergency. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, cheerleading coach Jill Vierra, 43, of Anderson Springs summed up the situation for many survivors. “We keep asking ourselves: What do we do? What do we do if we don’t have anywhere to go?”

Sen. McGuire has extended a helping hand. He’s enlisted the support of the Redwood Credit Union for a donation drive, with one hundred percent of all donations designated to help fire victims. To donate, go to this secure online link:

www.redwoodcu.org/lakecountyfirevictims

A check can also be mailed to Redwood Credit Union: RCU Lake County Fire Relief, c/o Redwood Credit Union, P.O. Box 6104, Santa Rosa, CA 95406, or dropped off at any of RCU’s 16 branch locations in the North Bay and San Francisco. For those in the local Lake County area, a check can be dropped at the Lake County Fire Victim Donation Drive Up at the Rattigan State Building, 50 D Street in Santa Rosa. Contact: Karlene Rebich Karlene.Rebich@sen.ca.gov or (707) 576-2771 for more information.

Note that LoveLakeCounty.org is a central online location that connects people with opportunities to volunteer or donate to fire victims; the site will be updated live for as long as it is needed.

McGuire notes that the fire is of “historic proportions – it’s been absolutely devastating. But the response of Californians pitching in to help our neighbors has been incredible.”

McGuire’s push for immediate donations to the secure, safe Redwood Credit Union Fund can make a difference in many lives as the inferno roars on.