Fire Victims Need Underwear, Toiletries, Bedding, Gift Cards

by Silicon Valley REALTOR Michelle Carr Crowe

As the November 2018 California wildfires continue raging in Paradise, Butte County and Southern California, people in Silicon Valley and throughout the state and country want to help. 

What fire victims truly need are new underwear, diapers, blankets, sheets, coats, toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, tampons and pads), dog food, cat food and cat litter, as well as gift cards to places such as Target, WalMart and Safeway.

I remember a person from the 2017 Santa Rosa fires blogging that while they appreciated people wanting to give, donating to help in a disaster it isn't the same as cleaning out your closet and donating to a thrift store.

For example, fire victims don't need big-shouldered 1990's prom dresses, clothes needing repair or clothing styles from the 1970s. Sadly, the blogger mentioned breaking down in tears after receiving those specific items.

What the fire survivors need are new clean underwear and comfortable, ready to wear basics. They desperately need (and deserve) fresh new hygiene supplies that help a person feel human after going through a nightmare of ash, smoke and fire-body wash, shampoo and toothpaste, as well as towels and washclothes, and clean, comfy bedding. 

Please label bags and boxes to eliminate extra work spent, opening, organizing and sorting. Realize the people receiving these supplies are exhausted. Better one small box of hotel shampoos, one bag of baby clothes labeled 2T-4T, and one container of blankets each by inself than a large box of assorted and differently-sized items.

Those bringing donations should check ahead with the established charities "on the ground" in these communities about what is needed where. Several folks on NextDoor posted that when they arrived with carloads of stuff, they found many donation centers were already at capacity.

Put these neighbors' needs in the disaster zones first. If some of the items brought aren't what's needed, consider bringing what's unnecessary for them back to donate in one's own community. Expending energy to sift through other people's "good intentions" doesn't truly help or benefit the people in need during a disaster.

Images courtesy of www.pixabay.com.

To those who've already helped, thanks for opening your hearts and wallets to help those who've lost so much.

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