The residents of the South Lake Fire Protection District have been through a great deal since the 2015 fire season.

From one extreme to the other, you’ve seen devastating wildfires, pouring rain, mudslides, rockslides, flooding, falling trees and snow. I think all would agree that you’ve endured more than your share of hardship.

Throughout those hardships, you’ve been fortunate to have people and groups working to assist your community. One of those groups has dedicated itself to your well-being since 2002.

The South Lake Fire Safe Council, a group I’m proud to support, has worked to provide fire safety education to the young and not-so-young in the South Lake community for 15 years. Along with their education activities, SLFSC has also provided an exceptional chipping program.

Each year, for a modest membership donation, they’ve offered chipping services within your fire protection district.

They contribute thousands of dollars in donated time to administer and organize this service. Money is spent only on a professional chipping crew – other expenses are covered by the donated time and efforts of this all-volunteer organization.

The Valley fire was a tragic event where evacuation was a necessity rather than an option. Some were fortunate – others were not.

Two of the directors of SLFSC lost their homes, as did many of you. The other directors evacuated their homes, just as you did, and because of a very active 2015 fire season – it happened more than once. 

In the aftermath of the Valley fire, many came to your aid with the assistance of funding from charitable groups or government agencies.

The directors of SLFSC, despite their own personal losses, subsidized their chipping program to help fellow residents clear debris after the fire.

SLFSC contributed over $20,000 to help their community during this tragic time. Before others came to do the same work and get paid for it – the South Lake Fire Safe Council was there to support you.

They helped you as much as they could, as long as they could, and they kept going until their funds were nearly exhausted.

Now, in order to continue assisting you as they have in the past, they need your help. Times are tough and money is tight, but dollars add up.

Please, if you can help in any way, donate to a group who has given so much to you. With your assistance, they’ll be able to continue working for your community.

They meet the first Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. in the South Lake Fire Station in Middletown. They welcome new members and volunteers. 

If you can help in donated time or money, you’ll also be helping your own community. Please send donations to the South Lake Fire Safe Council, P.O. Box 1773, Middletown, CA 95461.

Any amount is welcome. As a nonprofit organization, your donation is tax-deductible.

Linda Juntunen lives in Lakeport, Calif.