North Bay Fire: Where to Get Help and Where to Give Help

NBLC grieves the devastation of our region.  The fires have touched all of us.  We mourn the lives lost, the homes destroyed, the businesses ruined, and the impact on the North Bay’s flora and fauna.  We want to help those who have lost their homes, jobs and/or businesses recover as quickly as possible.  NBLC looks forward to partnering with other leaders on the recovery and finding ways to heal the damage wreaked by this catastrophe.

To begin the recovery, we are offering two types of information.  The first is where people can go for help for housing.  Given the housing crisis before the fire, NBLC expects housing to be one of our biggest challenges in this recovery.  The second is a list of ways YOU can help.  The North Bay is a caring community – working together, we will take care of our own.

Be safe!  At this writing there are 670 missing people.  With communications spotty, many are anxious to hear from loved ones and colleagues.  Please Register Yourself as “Safe and Well”, or search for loved ones at safeandwell.org.  NBLC sends its deepest appreciation to all of the first responders who are saving lives under terrible duress.

Need Housing Help?

Sonoma Raceway Opens 50 Acres Campground to Evacuees

SONOMA, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2017) – Sonoma Raceway opened its 50 Acres campground to evacuees seeking temporary refuge from the Northern California fires.

The raceway, which is equipped to handle up to 2,000 campers during its major event weekends,  opened its largest campground to evacuees in RVs Tuesday afternoon. The 50 Acres campground is located directly across from the raceway on Highway 121 and has not been affected by the fires.

Those in need of RV camping at Sonoma Raceway should enter the campground at Gate 6 on Highway 121, a quarter-mile north of Hwy 37. The raceway will team up with United Site Services to offer basic RV services, including water/sewage service, to campers during their stay. The campground is dry with no hookups.

For on-site assistance or directions, visit the Sonoma Raceway main office or front gate at 29355 Arnold Dr. in Sonoma. For more information, contact Sonoma Raceway at 800-870-7223 or email sonomaraceway@sonomaraceway.com.

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Airbnb has launched its Open Homes program for those seeking shelter free-of-charge at a residence outside of but near the affected area. The company is also looking for those willing to volunteer space at their local home for evacuees.

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Persons willing to host an evacuated individual or family in your home for a few days, few weeks or few months may contact the Petaluma People’s Services Center SHARE Sonoma County at SHAREfire@petalumapeople.org. An information sheet and application will be sent to you.

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The Permit Sonoma Planning Division and the Sonoma County Community Development Commission have joined together to offer housing resource assistance for people who have been displaced by the wildfires in unincorporated Sonoma County. We will be providing information about disaster-related housing opportunities and upcoming ordinance changes. Link

Want to Help?

We hear from local relief agencies that cash donations are their primary need.  Most have sufficient supplies right now for the people they are helping.  Exceptions are noted below.

DONATE:

Sunny Hills Services:

The incredible devastation due to the fires that hit Sonoma and Napa counties has affected tens of thousands in our community. The evacuations and loss of homes and businesses are crushing tragedies for anyone to deal with.  Sadly, among those who lost their homes were some of Sunny Hills clients. The young people that we serve already face difficult challenges in their day-to-day lives and the uncertainties and loss from the fires are additional hurdles that they didn’t need.

Could you also lend a helping hand?  A donation to Sunny Hills today will enable us to provide additional counseling services, as well as help fund any immediate needs our clients and staff might have. It’s times like these when standing together is so important.Our Sonoma County staff will be helping to link our clients to the resources that they need to start putting their lives back together. And we’ll also be there to provide extra counseling as they confront the destructive impact of the fires.

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United Way:

All gifts made through our website will be directed to area fire relief and recovery efforts until further notice. https://uwwc.upicsolutions.org/ecommunity/comm/SinglePageRegPledge.jsp

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Sonoma County Resilience Fund at the Community Foundation of Sonoma County:

After the frenzy and chaos of a devastating disaster like this one passes, the long road to recovery and rebuilding begins—and it is here that philanthropy can play a distinct and critical role. With our deep relationships with local nonprofits, government officials, and community leaders, community foundations are often in the best position to hold funds, make grants, and support our communities.

In recognition of our critical role, Community Foundation Sonoma County has launched the Sonoma County Resilience Fund to address the mid to long-term needs of our community. Learn more about the purpose of the Resilience Fund.

http://www.sonomacf.org/sonoma-county-resilience-fund/

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North Bay Fire Relief Fund:

The Press Democrat has again partnered with Redwood Credit Union, Senator Mike McGuire and numerous business leaders to raise funds to directly help fire victims. We have lost hundreds of homes, dozens of businesses along with thousands of jobs. Every donated dollar will go directly to fire victims – all costs will be covered. To donate, https://www.redwoodcu.org/northbayfirerelief

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PPSC SHARE needs your help. We are processing background checks on all our Shares and we are outspending our budget. Each background check is $10.00 so even a little bit helps. You can donate online www.petalumapeople.org and identify the donation as Share Fire.

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Donate to local animal shelters, which are helping people keep their pets safe. Humane Society of Sonoma County: sonomahumane.org, Humane Society of Napa County: napahumane.org, and Yuba-Sutter SPCA: yubasutterspca.org.

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Make a a cash donation by texting “Red Cross” to 90999 or visiting www.redcross.org.

VOLUNTEER

The Red Cross is in immediate need of volunteers to assist evacuees. To volunteer, sign up at www.redcross.org.

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Interested volunteers may also contact the County Office of Emergency Services at 565-3856.

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The Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership has also been called in to help. If you wish to donate or volunteer, you can register on their website at https://cvnl.org.

FOOD DONATIONS

Food donations need to be packaged. No homemade food can be accepted.

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Food pantries of Sonoma County, various locations, sonoma.networkofcare.org

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Food pantries of Napa County, various locations, foodpantries.org

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The Salvation Army at 721 South McDowell Blvd. in Petaluma is welcoming ready-to-eat, non-perishable food donations. They are also in need of volunteers. Call them between 9 am and 5 pm at 769-0716.

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The Redwood Empire Food Bank in Santa Rosa is accepting packaged, ready-to-eat, non-perishable food donations at 3990 Brickway Blvd., Santa Rosa. Cash donations are also welcome. 100 percent of your gift will be used in support of the relief efforts. Their website: www.refb.org.

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