Organization aids Santa Clarita’s recovery from the wildfires.

[view:node_ad=5]Created in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Santa Clarita Valley Disaster Coalition is the local source for collecting and dispensing funds and gift cards to those who have suffered loss as a result of a natural disaster or community-wide emergency. 

The Coalition is comprised of a caring group of community leaders, including representatives from local government, businesses, faith-based organizations, schools, and nonprofits who seek to help those in need from our area, rebuild their lives. The Coalition also works to address the need for increased awareness of local disaster preparedness and response plans.

To date, in excess of $30,000 in cash donations nearly $1,000 in gift cards has been collected in the aftermath of the October wildfires that impacted over two dozen families and a handful of local non profit organizations.  One hundred percent of donations benefit victims; there are no administrative fees or overhead costs.

The Coalition is currently working with the local American Red Cross to reach out to fire victims and assess their needs.  The goal is to fill in any gaps in the provision of assistance for victims.  The SCV Disaster Coalition is currently utilizing social workers from the Santa Clarita Senior Center (Committee On Aging) to assess each family’s situation and provide recommendations to the Coalition on the type of assistance appropriate to provide through the donations made to the Coalition. The Coalition is a non-profit 501C3, under the umbrella of the Senior Center.

Currently, the Red Cross has 27 open cases for local families impacted by the wildfires.  While the information is proprietary to protect each family’s confidentiality, the Coalition is reaching out to each and every family, offering assessment services for assistance through the Coalition.   

  
When assistance has been provided to the families, the Coalition will begin assisting nonprofit agencies impacted by the fires, offering financial assistance as deemed appropriate for each agency.

The Santa Clarita Valley Disaster is currently accepting donations of money and gift cards only.  Donations can be made at various local outlets and information is available online at www.scvcoalition.com.

KHTS has featured many stories on fire victims, Like Jim Tindell , who was badly burned while escaping the Buckweed fire, and the residents of LARC Ranch , who watched flames destroyed a part of their community. Or Mike Milligan , who’s restaurant was shut down for weeks after the fire, and a photographer named Yoti , who donated free photo sessions and prints to victims. Click on the corresponding links to hear their stories.