This is a follow up diary to the a diary I wrote last week about a fire that consumed most of the Annie Mae Trip Soup Kitchen right before their big annual Holiday Party for the needy of North Orange County.
Many people came to help with the party and it was a huge success, there were smiles for miles and toys were handed out and meals were served to many who were in dire need but the Kitchen does more than that, it serves meals daily to the many who are in need and it still needs a lot more help.
So this is the urgent email I got this morning. Unfortunately there isn't much to be done about the call for help today but I wanted to alert people that there is till more to be done.
The following is updated information about the help that is needed at the Annie Mae Tripp Southwest Community Center.
To begin with, I would like to thank the many people who have joined this group -we now have about 490 members! Pretty amazing, huh? This means that there are plenty of folks out there who are ready to help.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 23, they will have their final day of handing out gifts and food bags to the families. They need help setting up, distributing gifts, sorting donations and cleaning up. If you weren't able to go on Saturday, this is a great opportunity to help and enjoy the act of giving to the community.
Help is needed between 8 am and 4 pm. If you do come to help, don't dress up! Everything is covered with soot and you will get dirty!
Next week, Monday through Wednesday, from 8 am to 4 pm, they need a lot of help cleaning up from the fire. They will be going through the "wreckage" to see what can be cleaned and salvaged, and what needs to be thrown away. It is a massive task and there will be more than enough work for all who come.
There is a need for both brawn and brain! They need people to lift things and break down furniture and other large pieces of what is now junk so it can be thrown out. They also need people to wash and clean what is salvageable, and people to sort and organize files and papers.
Finally, they need at least one person, if not two, with trucks or vans, and a few extra hands, to move some large furniture that has been donated from one location to another. This will take place both Monday and Tuesday and if you can help, please call me tomorrow afternoon and I will provide the details.
I do hope that many of you will be able to come out and help. I was there today and honestly, it is a mess and quite overwhelming. The staff have been there every day, trying to clean up and, at the same time, conduct their business from tables set out on the sidewalk. Amongst the wreckage and surrounded by loss, the staff continues to provide food and Christmas cheer to people in need. I know that extra help and support from the community means a great a deal and every extra hand makes a difference.
Please call me if you have questions. The SWCC staff are also answering phones and emails, and you can contact them directly as well. You can also just show up and get busy. Just remember to wear comfortable clothes that can get really dirty.
If you have a truck or van and can help with moving furniture next week, please call me! This would be greatly appreciated.
Emphasis mine
If you are unable to help locally you are more than welcome to give!
Donations are being accepted at Orange County The United way. Follow the link, and enter "SMEDA Fire" into the PROMO box.
If you are a member of Facebook and want to keep up on the happenings, you are more than welcome to sign up with the group, Annie Mae Tripp Southwest Community Center.
Due to the recent fire at the Center many people are asking how they can help. Storage space is currently maxed so what is most needed are gift cards to use for food, office supplies and equipment, kitchen items and building needs as they arise. Please send these or any check donations to the center's address:
SWCC
1601 West Second Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
Instructions For Donating:
Drop Off Dates:
Tuesday, December 15 through Friday December 18
Drop off Time:
Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Drop off Address:
Orange County United Way
18012 Mitchell Ave. South
Irvine, CA 92614
Needed Items:
Canned Food for food baskets (corn, beans, rice, tuna, etc.)
Clothing for men, women and children
Blankets
New, unwrapped toys for children aged 0 – 12