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In early October 2017, dangerous wildfires began to burn in multiple counties throughout Northern California. Thousands of homes and other structures were destroyed, causing billions of dollars in damage. At least 44 people lost their lives, and dozens more were hospitalized.
Our neighbors were in need of our help. And The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services jumped into action, deploying multiple teams to provide meals and more at multiple vital locations where people were evacuated and where first responders were working. The Salvation Army responded to the Northern California wildfires in seven area counties with food, emotional and spiritual care, clothing, hygiene items, and gift cards to local retail stores. We provided not only immediate relief, but cared for people who were entering repopulated areas as fires were becoming controlled.
While the official “response phase” ended on November 8, 2017, The Salvation Army was a part of each of these communities prior to the fires—and will remain so into the future with a two-year recovery plan.
During the thick of the wildfires, our teams served at nearly a dozen sites in Sonoma, Napa, Sutter, Lake, Nevada, Solano and Butte Counties.
In all, we served over 200,000 people with initial relief. We provided...
...in about four weeks.
Stories
| Crisis in Santa Rosa | Family Says Thank You | Volunteers Step Up |
| Celebrity Chef Pitches In | Hope in Butte County | Redemption in Napa |
When disaster strikes, your generosity strikes back.
Our Donors Speak
As the fires burned, thousands of people in Northern California and beyond saw the need and gave generously. Here is a just a sampling of what they said:
"I feel blessed with whatever I have and wish to help others who have lost everything.” - Gave $1,000
"Something is better than nothing.” - Gave $5
"I'm a retired fire captain and I understand the needs when a family loses their home.” - Gave $500
"The Lord NEVER abandons us. He is with us, strengthening, consoling, leading us on, carrying us if need be.” - Gave $20
"It’s the least we can do for those who lost so much in the horrendous fires. Our hearts go out to all the victims of the fires.” - Gave $400
Companies with Heart
We are also grateful for our corporate donors who stepped up and made generous contributions. We'd like to thank the following organizations:
A Two-Year Plan for Recovery
We have built our Long-Term Recovery Assistance Program to provide emergency assistance to survivors of the October 2017 Northern California wildfires. The program is designed to help those without other sources of assistance and to supplement existing support from other community programs.
Often, a household’s needs are larger than what FEMA benefits provide, or there are needs that FEMA doesn’t cover. And for those who are not eligible for loans, this can really be a hardship. This is where The Salvation Army steps in to help supplement the holistic needs of an individual or family who is attempting to recover from the devastation of the wildfires.
The months and years following a disaster can be very difficult for those who lived through it. Survivors are still moving through the grieving process, and anniversaries—such as one year since the disaster—can be particularly painful. Our goal is to provide as much care as we possibly can, in order to ease some of this discomfort.
We’ll be giving not only monetary assistance, but also:
- Rental, Deposit & Utility Assistance
- Medical & Dental Assistance
- Household Items, Work Tools & School Supplies
- Furniture (New or Used)
- Car Repairs
- Other miscellaneous needs
Your Support Is Always Vital
Although we help thousands of survivors each year, The Salvation Army does much more than help people in times of disaster. We maintain Community Centers throughout our region, providing family services, food, shelter, rehabilitation, career development, youth programs, and much more. It is because of generous donors like you that we are able to keep serving those who need us.
If you would like to support The Salvation Army, make an online gift now. Or, call us at 888-390-2769 to discuss the type of gift that is right for you. Thank you!