My Dear California Daughters,
It is with a heavy heart and great concern that I send this message. Though the fires in Northern and Southern California are both still rather new, they have done untold damage that is affecting our Daughters; homes, again, have been lost. We are still waiting for news regarding the welfare of our Daughters in the Paradise, Oroville, Feather River and Chico areas in the North and in the Southern areas around Malibu, Thousand Oaks, and Calabasas. Weather and terrain conditions make things especially difficult for the firefighters and other first responders.
I know California Daughters are wanting to do something – to make a difference. Just how we can help our DAR friends pull lives back together will have to wait until specific information is available regarding individual members. The directors in these areas are reaching out and keeping us informed. If you have information regarding someone who was evacuated and still unable to return home, please share it with your District Director.
Because we do know the needs will be great, I have asked Sharon Maas to set up a donation process Daughters may want to use. In general, the most helpful will be gift cards for various stores, such as Target, Walmart, and grocery stores. Monetary gifts received will be used to purchase such gift cards. Checks with “Fires” on the memo line, should be made out to: CSSDAR State Treasurer and sent to CSSDAR Headquarters, PO Box 1436, Glendora, CA 91740-1436. Credit card donations may be made though the WebStore at the link below.
California Wild Fire Relief Fund Contribution
Rather than send gift cards through the mail, it is recommended that they be collected at chapter meetings and given to District Directors or State Officers for delivery to CSSDAR Headquarters. Having the value of the gift card noted would be helpful. There will be a collection opportunity at the Victorian Christmas Tea as well.
Need for other goods – lodging and/or larger household items – will be communicated as we have details.
Immediate help to the affected areas could be offered through local emergency response organizations.
Not only is California dealing with the fire emergencies, but we are also working our way through the aftermath of the shooting tragedy in Thousand Oaks, where dear friends of California Daughters lost lives. Please pray for all dealing with these losses and uncertainty…victims, families, first responders, and those dedicated to help.
California Daughters do make a difference…as we serve one another.
Adele Lancaster, State Regent