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AmeriCorps NCCC Team serves at Valley fire donation distribution site through the holidays
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps is working hard with volunteers from Lake County to receive, sort and redistribute donations to those affected by the Valley Fire as well as other distribution centers countywide.
The AmeriCorps NCCC team, Gold 2 is made up of 13 members ranging in age from 18 to 24. They have come from across the country to Lake County from Nov. 7 to Dec. 18 to help with post fire relief.
The county of Lake requested the team serve in the area two months after the Valley fire destroyed nearly 2,000 structures, including more than 1,300 homes. It is ranked the third most damaging fire in California history.
“In any community the effects of natural disasters can be monumental, but in Lake County – where the businesses and lands used for farming and ecotourism were so greatly affected – the recovery process is going to require a lot of support now and in the future,” said Jennifer Zaplitny, team leader for AmeriCorps NCCC team, Gold 2.
Working closely with Ted Mandrones, the community liaison for Lake County, as well as the dedicated volunteers who spearheaded the distribution sit, Gene and Lori Thornton and their daughter-in-law Sharon, the AmeriCorps NCCC team hopes to sort all of the donations at the warehouse on Work Right Circle in Lakeport as well as the many trucks still coming in from counties away.
“We started Monday after the fire and we’re here for the long haul,” said Lori Thornton.
While many of the local distribution sites have ceased operations, Work Right Circle Valley Fire Relief Distribution Center, located at 4615 Work Right Circle in Lakeport, continues to accept donations. The greatest needs in the coming months are for winter coats, boots, kitchen appliances and furniture as people get settled into their homes.
The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps and its FEMA Corps units engage 2,800 young Americans in a full-time, 10-month commitment to service each year.
AmeriCorps NCCC members address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, and urban and rural development; FEMA Corps members are solely dedicated to disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery work.
The programs are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the president's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit www.NationalService.gov .