Area residents reach out to fire victims
by Nora K. Wallace
Santa Barbara News-Press — November 15th, 2008
Relief organizations are getting staff in place, organizing for food deliveries, seeking donations and coordinating volunteers -- all in response to the catastrophic Tea Fire.
As fire crews from across the state continue to pour into Santa Barbara, community organizations and private individuals are responding rapidly and extensively.
Jim Prosser, a spokesman for Direct Relief International in Santa Barbara, said the nonprofit has already provided 10,000 protective air masks for emergency responders.
Firefighters and others on the front lines are using the N-95 particulate respirators, which help protect against fine particulate matter in smoke and ash that can be harmful to breathe.
For three hours Friday, DRI distributed free masks at MacKenzie Park with the assistance of Santa Barbara County Public Health. The masks are for people with breathing ailments such as asthma, as well as others who are affected by smoke. Air-quality warnings have been issued throughout the area, and residents are advised to limit outdoor activity. The organization also delivered 480 masks to the American Red Cross shelter at San Marcos High School.
The shelter housed 126 people Thursday night, while another 210 people came for information and assistance, said Kristiana Kocis, public affairs officer for the local American Red Cross chapter.
The Red Cross and the Salvation Army are feeding evacuees, she added.
People who want to work as Red Cross volunteers may attend a training from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday, Ms. Kocis said. The training will take place at 2702 State St.
When the fire began Thursday night, some 1,500 Red Cross volunteers were quickly called to ensure that the chapter had personnel to staff the shelter, feed evacuees, take donations and be available for the duration of the emergency, she said. About 80 volunteers worked Friday.
The Red Cross is accepting financial donations at its Santa Barbara office or online at www.sbredcross.org. As the fire cleanup progresses, the Red Cross will also distribute to homeowners special clean-up kits that include rakes, masks, shovels and other essential gear, Ms. Kocis said.
"We want to help empower them to put their lives back together," she said.
The Unity Shoppe today will be accepting clothing and household item donations for those affected by the Tea Fire. Anyone who wants to make a donation can call 687-1331 before bringing items or on how to donate.
David Lack, president of Lack Construction Co. in Santa Barbara, is reaching out as well. On Friday, he pledged $10,000 to relief efforts. He also donated 1,500 water bottles to firefighters and has ordered all his construction equipment to be available to fire agencies or individuals. He has trucks, water pumps, saws, generators and tools, among other things.
Mr. Lack was on his way Thursday to the annual governor's conference in Florida, in his role as a financial adviser to the Republican National Committee. But when he heard about the fire, he walked off the aircraft to return home -- and his luggage went to Florida.
"I said 'To hell with it,' " he said Friday. "My town is burning. This is my house, my friends, my projects that are burning or burned."
On Friday, he said his own home and his friends were safe, though he believed one of his commercial projects was lost to the flames.
His financial donation was an easy decision, he said.
"I've been so blessed all my life," Mr. Lack said. "I call on all contractors to match my $10,000."
Those who wish to contribute to the Lack Construction $10,000 matching-fund campaign can make their checks payable to "Tea Fire Victims-Lack Challenge" and mail or take them to the Bank of Santa Barbara, 12 E. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara 93101. These funds will be contributed to the Santa Barbara Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Mr. Lack is also opening up his 15,000-square-foot office at 420 E. Carrillo St. to anyone with a home business who lost their home to the fire.
"I've got phones, computers," he explained. "We can push all our construction stuff aside. If they need to come in here and raise money (relief agencies), or if they lost a small business, they can come in here and can use the office to keep their small business going."
Other companies are pitching in as well. The U-Haul Co. of Van Nuys is offering 30 days of free storage to Tea Fire victims and families needing to move their belongings away from the fire area. The storage is being offered at U-Haul at 4101 State St. The phone number is 683-3769.
"This fire has the potential to cause tremendous damage and inflict extreme hardship on the communities we serve," said Rick Hernandez, president, U-Haul Company of Van Nuys, in a statement. "I hope this effort will provide assistance to families that truly need a helping hand in areas affected by this fire. We will continue to help our friends and neighbors in this time of need."
People can also take advantage of the company's "Take a Box, Leave a Box" program, which enables customers to return reusable boxes and allows others to take them as needed.
Patterson Self Storage and Packing Supply said it would offer free storage spaces and wholesale prices on boxes and packing supplies to residents whose homes are threatened by the blaze. Residents can reserve a space by calling 964-0924.
Santa Barbara Cellars said it would offer free wine cellars to fire evacuees. Residents can reserve a wine cellar by calling 964-4097. The cellars storage is at the intersection of Patterson Avenue and Highway 101. The offer is limited to space on hand.
Meanwhile, the Santa Barbara Bank & Trust is paying for rooms at the Hotel Mar Monte for the entire weekend to anyone who lost a home or has been displaced by the fire. George Leis, president of the bank, said the bank would also provide gift certificates for a meal at Los Arroyos Restaurant in either Montecito or Santa Barbara to anyone who has lost a home or been displaced. For information, call the bank at 564-6456.
The company's two Montecito branches will stay open as long as possible, depending on the path of the fire, Mr. Leis said. The bank remained open until 8 p.m. Friday and will remain open all day today.
At Earl Warren Showgrounds, a staging area has been put in place amid a weekend-long Trail Blazer Festival. Trail Blazer founder Susan Gibson said the festival is providing firefighters with free coffee, donuts and admission to the festival. The festival is also helping with equine evacuations. The festival is the first expo for equestrian trail riders and horse lovers, and includes more than 30 clinics, a trade show and a "Battle of the Breeds" competition.
The festival is open 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. through Sunday, with clinics from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fairgrounds is located at Highway 101 and Los Positas Road.
Sarah Rudd, general manager of Piatti Ristorante & Bar on San Ysidro Road, opened the San Ysidro Road eatery to firefighters to give them a little "Italian comfort."
"I'm just glad to able to help in any small way," Ms. Rudd said. "I thought I'd offer some Italian comfort food: spaghetti, meatloaf and Caesar salad for the firefighters."
Fires can be very harrowing to parents, and two South Coast companies tried on Friday to ease some of the fears and frustrations.
Jennifer Caesar, owner of My Gym at 3888 State St., posted a note at www.sbparent.com offering her facility to any families needing a place for children to stay because of school closures or evacuations.
"All of us feel so helpless at times like this," she said. "It's the least I could do."
About 10 families took her up on the offer, and the children came to play on state-of-the-art exercise and gym equipment during the day.
"We'll offer it as long as anyone needs it," Ms. Caesar said.
The gym is open on weekends, but some parties are already booked and Ms. Caesar suggests fire evacuees call ahead, to 563-7336, to make sure space is available.
She also plans to start a clothing drive for people who have lost their homes. People interested in donating may call the gym as well.
Paige Shields, owner of Whiz Kidz Computer Gaming and Learning Center, told families they could use her facility at Turnpike Road and Hollister Avenue in the Vons shopping center for Internet access to conduct business or make travel arrangements.
The site, which Ms. Shields has owned for three years, offers supervised play on computer games and workshops on things such as animation and programming.
Located across the street from the Red Cross evacuation center, Ms. Shields on Friday took fliers to the shelter. During the day, four or five families came to the play games. One senior citizen came to do research on the Internet, while another man was able to go online for his job. Two mothers fell asleep on the comfortable gaming chairs she has, Ms. Shields said.
"Most of the families hadn't been burned out," she said. "But the kids were bored and hot and wanted to go home. The parents were thankful to have someplace to take them."
Today the center is reserved for birthday parties, but Ms. Shields said she'd keep the site open noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week as long as needed.
"We have airconditioning, water, bathrooms," she said. "It's a good place to be when it's unpleasant outside."
e-mail: nwallace@newspress.com
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