- LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
- Posted On
$73,000 in gift cards being delivered to students who lost homes in Mendocino and Lake County fires
Thousands of families in Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma and Napa counties have lost their homes to the North Bay firestorm and in response to this unprecedented disaster, State Sen. Mike McGuire, The Press Democrat, and Redwood Credit Union, or RCU, have partnered to establish the North Bay Fire Relief Fund.
RCU is paying all administrative costs, so 100-percent of all donations will benefit the relief efforts and the victims of the devastating fires.
In addition to providing residents who lost their homes with direct financial assistance and investing in hunger relief programs, The North Bay Fire Relief Fund is providing every student who lost their home in Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma and Napa counties with a $500 gift card to replace school clothes and supplies.
Last week, 129 gifts cards were delivered to the Mendocino County Office of Education for disbursement to local schools, with 17 gift cards given to students who lost their homes in Lake County.
“Never in our state’s history have we seen a disaster like the Fire Storm that hit Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma and Napa counties,” McGuire said. “Our community is suffering not only from the loss of loved ones and thousands of homes, but also from the emotional trauma caused by having only minutes to escape the path of these massive blazes. We’re coming together with Redwood Credit Union and the Press Democrat to ensure help is there when Lake and Mendocino Counties need it most.”
The fund is also distributing $1,000 checks to anyone who lost their home. The fund has made it simple to apply for and receive direct assistance. North Coast Opportunities in Mendocino and Lake counties will immediately process applications on behalf of the North Bay Fire Relief Fund.
Here’s how to apply in Mendocino and Lake counties.
The North Bay Fire Relief Fund has partnered with North Coast Opportunities, or NCO, for fund application and disbursements.
Applications are available at: https://www.ncoinc.org/2017-fires/ .
Return completed application This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or to any NCO office, which are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Offices are located in Ukiah at 413 N. State St., in Lakeport at 850 Lakeport Blvd. and in Clearlake at 14832 Lakeshore Drive.
The deadline to apply will be 30 days after the fire has been 100-percent contained by Cal Fire, which for the Sulphur fire was Oct. 27.
Contributions may also be made online at www.redwoodcu.org/northbayfirerelief.