Request to aid fire victims in California

[kerfmaker]

Hi,

Several hundred homes lost leaving families with nothing!!!

I was thinking that what usually happens in these diasters is that tangible help arrives in the form of canned food, blankets, water, clothing, etc. But, each family's needs & losses are different. I decided to solicit help in the form of Gift Cards so each family can buy the specific items they need.

I have been in contact with the Red Cross and they have agreed to accept and distribute aid to the victims via gift cards.

The person I am working with is Lois Beckman in the Riverside Office. She can be reached at 1-888-831-0031 ext. 1007.

If you would like to help in this effort, please purchase a gift card (or cards) from:

Walmart,
Target,
Sears,
Home Depot,
or Lowes.

Put the card in an envelope and send it to:
Fire Relief
23809 Castinette Way
Murrieta, CA 92562.

Also, to help with the distribution, please write the value of the Gift Card on the >>>BACK<<<< of the envelope (ie. if the card is for $25, write 25 on the back of the envelope.)

>>>>>PLEASE - NO CHECKS OR CASH<<<<<

I will see that the cards get to the appropriate Red Cross office in the area of the fires. The Red Cross will distribute the cards according to the needs of the families.

I will be posting the amount given on the Message Board.

If you have any questions, email me at kerfmaker@email.com.

Thank you so much for your generous help for those who have lost so much just before the Holidays.

Bob B (AKA Kerfmaker)
Murrieta, CA

[BobD]

Great idea Bob! Thank you for your kindness!

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[minowevie]

Bob, being a southern Calif resident. it just saddens me that this always happens around the holidays. it is bad any time, but this just adds to it. thanks for your efforts to get things that folks could just go get. like cloths, or food, bedding, or just tools to start something . I wonder if you could add some cards from pet stores like pets mart, to help with their critters. or even feed stores. I will go get some . thanks for your time and kindness, your friend Evie

[kerfmaker]

Evie,

That is a good suggestion. I am concerned though that the pet stores we have "locally" may not be the same as ones close to others in the group. That's why I tried to suggest national chains that would be available to the majority of the members. (Wal-Mart does have pet supplies.)

Thank you for your suggestion and donation to help these people.

Bob B

[JohnB]

G'day Bob,
Goodonya for doing this.
It's a strange time for Bushfires ??? , just when winter is starting.

Our bushfire season usually starts in summer, about the beginning of December and runs through to March.

Bushfires are terrible things, I've seen and fought my share.

[kerfmaker]

Sadly, as of December 1st there have been no gift cards received.

Thank you all for at least praying for those who have lost so much.

Bob B

[Forester21]

I'm sorry to hear that Bob. Unfortunately the need is great everywhere. I'm keeping my donations local this year - the local foodbank also helps with heating assistance here.
Will continue to pray for all.
Theresa

[Toolman56]

Hi , this alway sadden me, this year my sister lost her house to a f-5 in Parkersburg, Iowa, then i come home to a flooded house after helping there, but thru it all i'll get that big gallon jar off the shelf, what i do is i walk alot, i pickup the loose change or the penny's off the sidewalk's-parking lot's, ect or mayby 25 cents or any amount , yup goes in that jar , i got a ribbon tyed around the top of neck with differnt chartys , example red cross, salavation army ect, last year i spit between the two, after all its not my money, im just a messgner , i just deliver were needed, so if you need $25 im sure thers that much in there , last year i had $350 i pick up, like i said not my money, God bless ,Everett.

[kerfmaker]

Thanks, anything you would care to share would be sincerely appreciated.

Bob B