Just like others came to our help during the Oso landslide and Marysville-Pilchuck High School shooting disasters, so too should we help the victims of the wildfires in Eastern Washington.
The recent haze in the sky and smell of smoke reminds us that this catastrophe also is right in our back yard. Firefighters from Arlington and disaster experts from Marysville are over there helping.
The fires are breaking state records for acreage burned. At least 200 homes have been destroyed, and three firefighters have died.
The best thing to donate is money because then items that are needed the most can be purchased. But material items needed include: Coolers, tents, cots, sleeping bags, diapers, paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, paper cups, flashlights, batteries, playpens and bandages. Equipment such as generators also are needed and even trailers or campers for temporary housing, but no clothing at this time.
Rather than donating to even national organizations, some of whom pay high salaries to executives, consider donating to some trustworthy organizations that operate within the fire zones.
• Okanogan County, home of three of the largest fires and offering family support. Okanogan County Community Action Council. Visit the website, www.occac.com. All funds donated go to disaster relief. They are very local with boots on the ground. The Methow (Twisp, Winthrop) are in Okanogan County along with Omak, Okanogan, Riverside, Conconully, Malott and Tonasket.
• Regional support, includes Okanogan and Chelan counties: Community Foundation of North Central Washington. Visit the website, www.cfncw.org; you’ll see “Community Fund” options to direct funds toward one area or another.
• A fund targeted at people who were burned out of their homes in the Chelan area. The fund is managed by Chelan Valley Hope, a nonprofit community service organization based in Chelan. The funding appeal comes through a web platform called “Give Naked” as “Give #104,” here is the web link: http://givenaked.org/
• Fund for the firefighters who were killed or injured in the Methow Valley: www.Gofundme.com/methowfirefighters.
• Aid for injured or homeless livestock: Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office has an Emergency Animal Response Services Team, providing shelters and food. Checks only to Okanogan County Sheriff, attn. Deputy Yarnell, 123 N. 5th Ave, Room 200, Okanogan, WA 98840. Memo line must say “Animal Relief/Rescue.”
• Volunteers: The Department of Natural Resources is still looking for qualified volunteers. See information at this link: www.dnr.wa.gov/wildfirevolunteer.
Remember how grateful we were when people helped us when we were feeling so down and in time of need. Now is our time to give back.
