November 13 a devastating fire ravaged parts of Santa Barbara and Montecito. Over 200 homes were destroyed. The television cameras showed pictures of mansions ablaze, but many of the structures lost were the homes of Santa Barbara's artists, musicians, architects, writers, yoga teachers - in other words - us, the progressive community.
Many of these homes had guesthouses, converted garages and spare rooms that they rented to other artists, writers, musicians and yoga teachers. So the reality is - many more than 200 families lost their homes.
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So Roosevelt Elementary School decided to help. Here's the letter I wrote to the kids, parents and teachers to thank them for this incredible response to a call for help. In other words, the story of community organizing at its finest...
" What an amazing response we had to the Tea Fire Clothing Giveaway. We helped over 50 families start to put their lives back together. There was such a tremendous response to the giveaway that we decided to extend it to Sunday as well.
Thank you to all who donated items – some of them were truly amazing – brand new winter coats, scores of jeans in every size make and model, beautiful sweaters and wonderful children’s clothes, books, blankets, as well as new small appliances still in their boxes. Every table in the auditorium was stacked two to three feet high with clothing and supplies.
The Fire Survivors started arriving 2 hours before the scheduled opening. But schedules are for buraucrats - not for real people in a time of real need. We opened the doors and invited them in. There were hugs and tears of gratitude. Several people arrived covered in ash and wearing breathing masks. They were on their way to and from the fire area. The word spread throughout the mountain and canyons – “Go to Roosevelt School. They have everything!”
When people came in too overwhelmed to find the right sizes and styles, or just basic necessities for the upcoming winter, we assigned them “shoppers’ to help fill boxes and suitcases. Many of these “shoppers” were our own Roosevelt Elementary School children. We are so proud of these kids who worked long hours Saturday and Sunday to help the Fire Victims.
And a HUGE thank you to the clean-up crew that arrived Sunday afternoon, when the rest of us were almost too dazed to sort and pack another box. They helped bag, load, transport and deliver the remaining over 200 bags and boxes to needy charities in our community:
- Santa Barbara Rescue Mission - clothes, shoes, blankets to 100 homeless men
- Casa Esperanza - clothes and supplies for men and women battling addictions
- Transition House - children's and women's clothes and toys for homeless families
- Casa Serena - clothes and supplies for women battling addictions
- Alpha Thrift - clothes and supplies, proceeds from the Thrift store benefit people with disabilities
- Salvation Army
- Catholic Charities - and others….
And we especially want to thank the parents and teachers who worked countless hours all weekend long to help make this effort the Huge Success that it was. This Thanksgiving will be just a little bit brighter for many families because of your cheerful smiles, comforting attitudes and very hard work. This was truly community organizing at its finest."
If you would like to make a monetary donation to the Tea Fire victims, contact teafirerelief@gmail.com
2 people on Mountain Drive were seriously burned when escaping the fire. One remains in critical condition with 3rd degree burns covering 90% of his body. You can make a donation to their fund. Send donations to Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, at 1483 E. Valley Rd. in Montecito. Checks should be made out to The Lance and Carla Burn Fund.
Governor Palin, this is what community organizers do.