On September 8th we opened up our Park to people that were affected by the Wildfires. It started small with just a few
taking us up on our offer the first night. By the next day though things had changed, we were lling up. We put a call out on our Facebook page as well as an email blast for supplies. Every meal, three a day, were donated by outside
restaurants or other organizations. We were blessed with so many donations that we were able to disperse them to other Evacuation Shelters.
We were able to provide re ghters with 55 sleeping bags, camp pads and pillows so that they weren’t sleeping on the ground as they had been, as well as eye drops, lip balm, band aids, lots of water and protein bars. Our donated items were available to people in the Community that weren’t staying with us as well. People were able to come and get food boxes with several days of food and also hygiene products. Some of our evacuees had animals, domestic and farm, they were also provided for.
Thank you to the volunteers that came to help. You rolled up your sleeves and jumped into the unknown, you were amazing! We had Elk Members as well as a lot of Community members, (some of who have signed up to join!) show up day after day and put in a lot of hard and at times emotional work.
We had news crews, radio stations and fantastic shoutouts on Facebook, all saying what a great service we were providing. I hope that you caught our Exalted Ruler Scott White on TV spreading the message that Elks Care & Elks Share. As Elks this what we do, albeit not always on such a grand scale. We have heard our Members say over and over that they have never been more proud to be an Elk and we as O cers of your Lodge couldn’t agree with you more.
Jennifer Helsing