Southern California Fire Relief Effort 2007

Relief Update

In October 2007, Southern California was riddled with devastating wild fires that destoyed 250,000 acres of land and displaced more than 500,000 residents. Giving Children Hope was overwhelmed by the amount of community support they received in preparing shipment of relief aid for the affected communities of Irvine, San Diego, and Crestline/Running Springs. Orange County families dropped off donations of much-needed items by the car load, and volunteers worked hard at our Packing Party to pack and prepare “Boxes of Hope” to be trucked up to Lake Gregory Church.

Below is an update from Michelle Hanson at Lake Gregory Church, thanking each and everyone of you who partnered with Giving Children Hope in this worth while relief effort. This is YOUR organization!

Throughout the day we had at least four families there at a time… so approximately 50+ families & households [were served]. People who lost their homes, lost weeks of wages and who needed help to make it through the holidays. We had children from families of fire victims picking out things for their parents and family members for Christmas presents. There were so many tender moments throughout the day… such as the mother of four, whom always helped others, accepting the goods in tears.
It was such a blessing to be a part of this day! And Giving Children Hope was a GIFT from heaven. Thank you so much.

We also personally assisted two dozen families directly from needs in the community. We delivered diapers, food & clothing to them.

We assigned FIRE RELIEF PROJECT to our Project Angel Tree. We assisted seven families with clothing, food, and personal presents. The presents were delivered on Christmas Eve to the families with smiles and gratitude on their faces. What a blessing!

The remaining goods of used clothing went to help the homeless in San Bernardino. They took the clothing to the shelter and called the next week to see if there were any other used clothing goods that we might have to give. This was a huge blessing to their people to have warm clothing to layer on through the holidays.

-Michelle Hanson, Lake Gregory Community Church

Take a look at GCH’s Wildfire Relief Photo Album

Click here to browse through pictures of the Giving Children Hope Wildfire Relief Effort

2008.01.01 by

Children from University Park CDC in Irvine collect and donate items for wildfire evacuees

The children that attend University Park CDC (Child Development Centers) in Irvine, CA were deeply affected by the Irvine fires. Many children had friends or relatives that were evacuated from their homes; even their school and CDC were closed for a day. Some children asked their teachers for ways that they could help. An idea that was put in place was to donate items to an organization that directly brought relief to the families who had been evacuated from their homes.
University Park CDC is pleased to help your organization by donating a suitcase and more filled with toys, clothes, and food items. Some children also included letters of warm wishes.

We hope this small gesture brings some relief and joy to the people these items get distributed to.

Warmly,
University Park CDC kids, staff, and families

(A special thanks goes to Brayjonn Brooks and his family for being especially generous with their donations.)

2007.11.16 by

Fifth graders Liam and Adam raise $303.10 for the fire relief efforts.

When Giving Children Hope put out the call of our response to the the SoCal wildfires several of you partnered to make a difference. Liam and Adam are fifth graders at Yerba Buena Elementary School in Agoura Hills. They decided they could make a difference. They collected money in their classroom to advance the efforts towards those displaced by the fires. In just a week’s time they collected $303.10 that is going to make a difference. If you think you can’t make a difference, look to the example of Liam and Adam and know that you CAN!

2007.11.06 by

Local man raises $810 for fire victims

When Giving Children Hope put out the call to response for the SoCal wildfires several of you decided that you could make a difference. Todd Gillert of TriMont Real Estate Advisors took action. Todd circulated an email around his company to explain Giving Children Hope’s response to the fire relief efforts. Todd collected $405 towards the cause which was matched by his organization for a total of $810! If you think you can’t make a difference, look to the example of Todd and know that you CAN!

2007.10.29 by

Another Shipment to Running Springs

Giving Children Hope has sent another truck full of wildfire relief aid pulled out of the Giving Children Hope Distribution Center bound for Running Springs, CA. Giving Children Hope has been instrumental in the wildfire relief effort, particularly in the Running Springs community where GCH was one of the first responders.

Wednesday’s shipment included items donated by Cumulus Broadcasting and PODS who held donation drives at Albertson’s stores along the Central Coast. The shipment also included items donated by the University Park Child Development Center.

A special thank you to all who donated time, money, and/or items to Giving Children Hope for the wildfire relief effort. GCH is truly YOUR organization!

2007.11.21 by Harmony Trevino

Wildfire Relief Aid Leaves for Running Springs

A truck full of wildfire relief aid pulled out of the Giving Children Hope Distribution Center bound for the communities of Running Springs and Lake Arrowhead, CA.

Over 300 Boxes of Hope which were packed and stuffed with personalized notes by volunteers at the Packing Party Fundraiser, were included in the shipment.

More than 300 homes were lost in the Running Springs/Lake Arrowhead communities in the devastating Slide Fire. Families are in the process of transitioning into temporary housing. The items will help to being immediate relief as well as assist the families with rebuilding lost possessions.

2007.11.09 by Harmony Trevino

Wildfire Relief Update from Lake Gregory

Southern California was devastated by wild fires that destroyed 250,000 acres of land and displaced more than 500,000 residents. Giving Children Hope was amongst first responders in the communities of Irvine, San Diego, and Running Springs/Crestline. Below is an update from Lake Gregory Church, a church in San Bernadino that received relief aid from GCH.

Throughout the day we had at least four families there at a time… so approximately 50+ families & households [were served]. People who lost their homes, lost weeks of wages and who needed help to make it through the holidays. We had children from families of fire victims picking out things for their parents and family members for Christmas presents. There were so many tender moments throughout the day… such as the mother of four, whom always helped others, accepting the goods in tears.
It was such a blessing to be a part of this day! And Giving Children Hope was a GIFT from heaven. Thank you so much.

We also personally assisted two dozen families directly from needs in the community. We delivered diapers, food & clothing to them.

We assigned FIRE RELIEF PROJECT to our Project Angel Tree. We assisted seven families with clothing, food, and personal presents. The presents were delivered on Christmas Eve to the families with smiles and gratitude on their faces. What a blessing!

The remaining goods of used clothing went to help the homeless in San Bernardino. They took the clothing to the shelter and called the next week to see if there were any other used clothing goods that we might have to give. This was a huge blessing to their people to have warm clothing to layer on through the holidays.

-Michelle Hanson, Lake Gregory Community Church

2008.01.14 by Harmony Trevino

Fire Relief Packing Party Fundraiser

Adults, teenagers, and children came out to Giving Children Hope’s Distribution Center to pack over 300 boxes of relief aid for wildfire evacuees in the Lake Arrowhead community. Volunteers also helped raise over $300 for the efforts.

Earlier in the afternoon, Crean Lutheran South High School students helped sort and pack similar boxes of relief items, such as non-perishable food, new clothing, toys and hygiene kits.

Volunteers at the Packing Party ate pizza, listened to music, packed relief aid, and wrote personalized notes that would be read as evacuees in Lake Arrowhead opened their packages.

“It is so much fun to spend time with other people who care about helping the kids and families that have lost everything they owned. I like thinking that someone is going to open this box and read the note that I wrote them. I am having a really good time!”

-Robert Huisman, 17, GCH volunteer

2007.11.01 by Harmony Trevino

Relief Delivered to Crestline

Giving Children Hope made a delivery of clothing, shoes, blankets, hygiene items, and pillows to Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline. Lake Gregory Community Church has partnered with Running Springs Community Church to serve those in Running Springs who lost everything from the Slide Fire. Pastor Joe Slovenec offered a word of thanks on our YouTube site to the many who have made contributions to ensure that aid is reaching the needs.

2007.10.26 by Harmony Trevino

GCH Partners with Cumulus Broadcasting for Fire Relief Efforts

Giving Children Hope is partnering with Cumulus Broadcasting, KRUZ 97.5, 103.3 The Vibe, Magic 106.3, and PODS (Portable On Demand Storage) to collect much needed items for the Southland Wildfire evacuees. Listen all this week (from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo) for timely updates of where you can bring your donations! Click here for a list of Albertson’s stores along the Central Coast that have PODs waiting to be filled!

2007.10.16 by Harmony Trevino

Staff Members Deliver Relief Supplies

Giving Children Hope staff members, Ken Hicks and Jenise Steverding, delivered air mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows and blankets to fire fighters battling the blazes in the Santiago fire. Giving Children Hope partnered with Hope Force International and Apostolic Relief earlier in the day to procure the items. Just after the items arrived the call came in from Community Emergency Relief Teams about the need. Ken and Jenise traveled to the Santiago Fire Command Center located in Irvine Regional Park to deliver the items. They met with Manny DeLatorre of the Fullerton CERT to unload the items. The Commanding Chief, Fernando Villicana, came out personally to thank Giving Children Hope for the donated items. “The firefighters would literally be sleeping on the grass if it wasn’t for these sleeping bags. I just want to thank you and the Fire Services says thank you very much!”

2007.11.13 by Harmony Trevino

Shipment of Relief Sent to San Diego

A donated Penske truck was loaded at the Giving Children Hope Distribution Center with 11 pallets of blankets, clothing, food, and hygiene items bound for shelters and centers serving evacuees of the SoCal Wild Fires. The truck was driven to the Mariners Church Resource Center in Santa Ana where 4 more pallets of relief aid were to be added before it left Friday morning for San Diego. Volunteers followed the shipment down to San Diego Social Venture Partners (SDSVP) site at the Amylin Pharmaceuticals Corporate Headquarters in San Diego where supplies will were sorted and loaded into trucks for delivery to the evacuation sites.

2007.10.25 by Harmony Trevino