Update Emails
From October 27, 2017
Disaster Fund for Mendocino County Updated Information
Dear Friends,
When I woke up two and a half weeks ago and learned of the fires in Redwood Valley, I made a goal of raising $500,000 for our community. I am absolutely blown away that the Community Foundation has exceeded that goal so quickly and am deeply grateful to all of our donors and the Foundation staff and volunteers (Mary Buckley, Katie Gibbs and Jim Moorehead) who have worked tirelessly processing and acknowledging the gifts and deploying resources into our community quickly and responsively.
As of today, The Disaster Fund for Mendocino County has received over $700,000 in contributions from over 1130 donors. Major contributors to the fund include George & Ruth Bradford Foundation, Harvest Market and its shoppers, Sonoma Clean Power, Fetzer Vineyards, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Ukiah Natural Foods Coop and its shoppers, Peet's Coffee & Tea and its customers, In-N-Out Burger and several anonymous donors. Additionally, we have received significant contributions from 10 of our Community Foundation donor advisors.
100% of all donations are being distributed to those in need, thanks to a sponsorship of our administrative costs by Obenyah LLP, CPAs, Fetzer Vineyards, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, and an anonymous donor.
While the Disaster Fund has already provided nearly $50,000 of immediate relief for those displaced by the evacuations and fires, it is also going to provide for the short-term (temporary housing, replacement of essential household items and medical care or counseling) and long-term needs of those rebuilding from the fire. It will address the needs in the coming months, and also in the next few years, as it can take as long as five years to complete all the rebuilding that needs to happen.
The recovery process will not only include the physical rebuilding, but also the impact on mental health as the memories of the traumatic evacuations and losses will last long into the future. The fires were violent and scary. And the recovery from that goes beyond just clearing the rubble, but healing our hearts and minds too. Recovery is a long road and it is our capacity to be there for each other that will get us through. The Community Foundation is committed to being part of the healing process and will continually assess and evaluate the needs of our community throughout the journey ahead.
To be part of the ongoing efforts, donations to the Disaster Fund for Mendocino County can be made at the Community Foundation's website, www.communityfound.org or by mailing or dropping off a check to the Community Foundation office at 204 South Oak Street, Ukiah, CA 95482.
Warmly, Megan Barber Allende President/CEO
From October 18, 2017
Disaster Fund for Mendocino County Updated Information
Dear Friends,
Our community is devastated. With a small county like ours, everyone knows someone who lost their home and all of their belongings. Most everyone felt an impact from the fires due to loss of power, cell coverage, and gas lines in the neighboring areas. Immediate relief remains critical as people figure out their next steps. Most people left with the clothes on their backs, experienced harrowing escapes due to the hilly, mountainous, rural back roads, and had almost no warning to plan their evacuations.
As of this morning, CalFire reported that the Redwood Fire was at 35,800 acres and 60% contained. 436 single family residences were destroyed, 245 minor structures destroyed, and 7 commercial structures damaged. There have been 8 civilian fatalities. All evacuation orders have been lifted and residents have begun returning home to assess the damage and start the process of figuring out how to move forward and recover from this disaster.
Many survivors don't have the resources to even cover their basic needs right now. Native Americans, immigrants and renters were disproportionately impacted, but we don't have many statistics yet. What I can tell you is the medium household income in Mendocino County is $42,980 with 20.3% living in poverty and 20.6% 65+ so many survivors may be uninsured or under-insured. Housing will be a major concern since Ukiah already has a 1% vacancy rate and people will need temporary housing so they can remain in the community. People will also need counseling and case management to weather this life experience.
At the Community Foundation, we are so thankful for the generosity of the community and for the many people who have stepped up to help out. As of this morning, $286,500 has been contributed to the Disaster Fund for Mendocino County. Last week, we provided grants to North Coast Opportunities (NCO) and Mendocino Coast Children's Fund to provide immediate relief in response to frequent calls from evacuees who went to the coast or remained locally with friends and family. In one day, NCO distributed 80 $100 cards to 72 households benefiting 233 people.
Reflecting on this experience, I am reminded how we are all so connected as a community. When the people we know experience loss in such deep ways - we all hurt. Recovery is a slow process as we all adjust to the new normal. I am grateful for the ways we come together and support each other when the unimaginable happens. We will continue to update you as we work with community organizations to respond in the weeks to come.
Warmly, Megan Barber Allende President/CEO
From October 14, 2017
Disaster Fund for Mendocino County Updated Information
Dear Friends,
As of this morning the Redwood Fire was at 34,000 acres with 10% containment. The Community Foundation continues to process donations to the Disaster Fund for Mendocino County. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please click here to make a gift.
As of noon, $134,500 has been donated including grants from the George & Ruth Bradford Foundation and the following Community Foundation Funds: the Pearson Family Fund, the Hudson Family Fund, the Mabel Albertson Fund, and an anonymous donor-advised fund. Sponsorship from Aaron Obenyah LLP, CPAs is enabling 100% of donated gifts to go directly to fire victims.
The Disaster Fund for Mendocino County is managed by Community Foundation of Mendocino County and was created with a lead gift of $20,000 in response to drought conditions in the spring/summer of 2014. Initial funding from the Disaster fund is designed to be awarded to family resource centers, senior centers, community dining rooms and other non-profits that provide disaster relief and recovery services to households impacted by a natural disaster, such as meals, temporary housing assistance, replacement of essential household items, and medical care or counseling.
The Community Foundation is working with North Coast Opportunities (NCO) for both immediate and short-term needs. To access short term-funds at NCO, visit their website (www.ncoinc.org), or contact NCO Administrative Manager, Robyn Bera (707-467-3236, rbera@ncoinc.org). NCO will also be distributing funds for immediate needs. To receive those, please go to NCO (413 N. State Street). They will be open today as well as on Saturday, October 14.
Additionally, the Community Foundation is working with the Mendocino Coast Children's Fund to help meet the immediate needs of families who have evacuated to the coast. To learn more about grantmaking from the Disaster Fund, please visit our website.
Warmly, Megan Barber Allende President/CEO
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