Our family has lived in North Bay for over fifty years. I (Jon) was raised there. Our children were born there. My father is buried there. We have many friends whose lives, homes, and livelihoods were hurt by the recent fires. We have friends whose jobs are gone and whose children no longer have a school to attend. The property where Shannon and I took our wedding vows was damaged by fire.
The series of Sonoma/Napa fires is the most destructive in California history:
- 42 lives lost
- Over 8,400 homes and buildings destroyed
- Over 100,000 people have been displaced
Yet, through all the fire and since, we have watched from the foothills as the North Bay community has come together to help each other. Friends and friends’ children fought on the fire lines, a friend’s son volunteered and drove his bulldozer to cut fire breaks, another friend sent his company’s water tankers into the fire zone to support the firefighting.
We have friends who staffed emergency shelters, who gathered food, clothing, medicine, and other necessities. Other friends opened their homes, loaned mattresses, bedding, and cared for animals. Even one who started a GoFundMe for his Uber driver, raising over $20,000 for a stranger who lost his home to fire!
Last week when we heard about the new Serrano Neighbors Helping Neighbors initiative and its fundraising efforts to support victims of the North Bay fires, how could we do anything else but support the effort and encourage others to do the same?
We are very proud to be part of a community that would take such an initiative to help others in need. We know most of you feel the same.
(The Below is From the Serrano Owners’ Association and Serrano Neighbors Helping Neighbors)
Dear Serrano Neighbors and Friends,
It’s hard to comprehend the size and scope of destruction caused by the wildfires in the North Bay. Not unless you live there. For the thousands of people who do, the magnitude of that loss is only just beginning to sink in. It is a nightmare that won’t go away; not for months, or even years.
Our neighbors in the North Bay need help, so the residents of Serrano, working with the Serrano Owners’ Association are uniting to answer that call.
With the help of the El Dorado County Community Foundation, Serrano has put together a plan that will allow us to make a financial donation in Serrano’s name to the 2017 North Bay Fire Relief Fund. Our contributions will then be distributed to the four counties affected by the North Bay fires: Sonoma, Napa, Lake, and Mendocino.
We are pleased to announce that the Parker Family Foundation has committed $50,000 to match your gift dollar for dollar.
“This is the perfect opportunity for all of us to demonstrate the generosity of spirit that defines the community of Serrano. We are pleased to join with all of you in this effort to support our neighbors in the North Bay in their time of need.” -Bill Parker
Here are the organizations Serrano will partner with to make our donation:
The El Dorado County Community Foundation is a public charity serving El Dorado County that enables residents to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. In this case, it has volunteered, at no cost, to create an account for Serrano residents to make a donation (whether it be by check or credit card) to the 2017 North Bay Fire Relief Fund for the fire victims of the North Bay. (Each person making a donation will receive a letter acknowledging the tax deductibility of the contribution and 100% of all donations will be sent in Serrano’s name to this fund.
The 2017 Redwood Credit Union North Bay Fire Relief Fund was created by the RCU Community Fund, Inc. in partnership with Redwood Credit Union (RCU), The Press Democrat and Senator Mike Maguire, to support victims and relief efforts of the devastating 2017 North Bay fires and 100% of all donations will go to fire victims’ relief efforts.
This is how you donate.
Beginning Monday, October 23, contributions to the fund can be made by cash, check, or credit card:
Cash contributions can be dropped off at the foundation office at 312 Main Street Suite 201 in Placerville.
Please make checks payable to the “El Dorado Community Foundation” and mail them to El Dorado Community Foundation P. O. Box 1388 Placerville, California 95667. On the memo line please indicate Serrano North Bay Relief.
Credit card donation may be made at www.eldoradocf.org. Clicking on the DONATE button at the top of the page will take you to the online giving page. Enter the amount of your donation and the FUND DESIGNATION as the Serrano North Bay Relief and complete the rest of the form. Credit card processing charges of 3% are charged by the processing company and not the foundation.
The Foundation is not charging a fee to process your gift.
The donation deadline is November 30, 2017.
That is when the Serrano contributions will be to the Redwood Credit Union North Bay Fire Relief Fund. Don’t wait…make your donation today!
There is so much we can accomplish when we work together as a community.
(The above was provided by and reprinted from the Serrano Owners’ Association and Serrano Neighbors Helping Neighbors)
SONOMA NAPA FIRE INFORMATION AND RECOVERY RESOURCES
