Exeter Fire Relief Fundraiser
The EXETER community has COME TOGETHER to bring personal supplies, food, and resources to FIRE EVACUEES!
Exeter Boys & Girls Club teamed up with the American Red Cross and became a designated donation pick-up location for evacuees. The Club networked with other organizations, such as the Exeter Chamber-of Commerce, Exeter Garden Club, & Exeter Lions Club, and they all helped spread the word. It wasn't long before donations started coming in!
Evacuees are now being directed by Red Cross to the Exeter Club for personal supplies and food. Together, they have helped over 100 people—about 25 families—so far. Unfortunately, about half of these people have lost their homes.
Exeter Club has received many in-kind donations from Exeter Lions Club, Western Milling/Kruse, GoCal of California (gocalpromos.com), Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Pollen Ranch, and individuals in the community. Exeter Club members have been a huge help as well. They receive the donations and categorize them, making the items easier to box up for the families.
Laurena Gilbert, Exeter Club Unit Director, is proud to see her staff—Emily Ballew, Haley Baker, & Sandra Fishburn—and Club members join the effort. She said, "These families have shared their stories with us; it has been an emotional journey. Our members are amazed at how the community has come together to help strangers. They like to help knowing they are making a difference."
"In this pandemic, I am amazed how others have come together in this crisis to help others in need. This project has brought perspective to our members how to give without receiving." -Emily Ballew
"I am in awe that this community has come together to help so many that have been displaced due to the fires this community service project has been so rewarding to both our members and staff." -Haley Baker
"Just knowing that we are helping so many people with personal items or even a listening ear has made all the difference in these people's lives. I am so proud to be a part of this." -Sandra Fishburn
Laurena has always gone above and beyond for her community and this time is no different. She connected an evacuee family in need of a car repair to Frank Malmgrem, a local mechanic and Club parent, who donated his services to get their car up and running. Another evacuee was in need of new glasses as his had broken during the evacuation. Laurena went to Miller & Narahara, ODs, and explained the situation to the doctors. They were more than happy to help and they made him a new pair that day at no cost.
Overall, there has been such an overwhelming response to this service project. As a community, we have been able to help several families and they continue to come in daily. To join this effort, give the Exeter Club a call at (559) 592-2711!