A unique format found its way to Sierra Amador Chapter NSDAR. For health and safety reasons, our chapter’s long-planned and prepared for program to “ring-in” Constitution Week was replaced with an electronic business meeting.

On September 9, 2015, at 2:30 pm, many of our chapter members nervously watched a small streak of smoke rise near the town of Jackson. Soon the Butte Fire was raging, and residents were fleeing.  As of today, 70,760 acres and 440 structures have been destroyed, and the fire continues to smolder. Twenty chapter members were evacuated, while many others remained home under evacuation warnings. Three members’ homes were saved by heroic efforts of fire fighters and are displaced while water and power issues are resolved. All other chapter Daughters are returning home.

We applaud the contributions of Sierra Amador daughters who dug-in and volunteered with fire departments, Red Cross, Disaster Relief, collection and distribution centers, animal rescue centers, pledge drives, sharing homes with displaced neighbors and friends, and loaning motor homes to the newly homeless. One member continued manning a water tender truck as the fire raged through her own neighborhood.  The fire failed to consume her home, not once but twice. Miraculously, it stands alone amidst the blackened devastation.

With respect for public needs and the safety of chapter members, our Constitution Week bell ringing and program were canceled.  Chapter daughters continue to put public needs and safety first, while conducting private bell ringing ceremonies with family and friends.