MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — Fire survivors who lost homes in the devastating Lake County fires and residents struggling with local childcare will benefit from a donation of $80,000 from Fire Family Foundation. A contribution of $60,000 was made in mid-February at the Middletown Fire Station to Hope City/Hope Crisis Response Network (HCRN), a disaster relief agency rebuilding several homes destroyed by the fires, and a donation of over $20,000 went to the Lake Family Resource Center (LFRC) for much-needed childcare in the community.
Fire Family Foundation (FFF) provides assistance to individuals and families affected by fire-related disasters throughout California and is the charitable hand of Firefighters First Credit Union. FFF worked with both Redwood Credit Union (RCU) and Mendo Lake Credit Union (MLCU) along with the California Credit Union League (CCUL) to identify the greatest needs of the fire survivors and provide the funding. Foundation Executive Director Robin McCarthy along with credit union and league representatives presented the check to Hope City Chief Executive Officer Kevin Cox and Team Lake County Chair Shelly Mascari in mid February.
Hope City has identified several homeowners who lost their residences in the Valley Fire to be beneficiaries of the $60,000 gift, according to Cox. He noted Hope City matches the gift with volunteer labor, so the initial amount becomes a $120,000 donation. The selection of families for receipt of HCRN’s assistance is needs-based, with aid going to individuals who had little or no insurance and may have other extenuating circumstances.
“Our organization thanks Fire Family Foundation and the credit unions who have been so amazing in helping Lake County, and we thank the community for rallying to get families back into homes,” said Cox.
Another key service needing support is the Lake Family Resource Center (LFRC), which provides before and after school childcare in Lake County.
“We are grateful for the focus on childcare needs for those impacted by the fire,” said Jennifer Dodd, LFRC’s Executive Director. “The grant will be used to help families with childcare services so residents can get back to work knowing their children are cared for.”
Dodd shared that many fire survivors have had challenges with transportation, changed school schedules, and the disappearance of off-site daycares in the area. “It is wonderful the grant was provided to Lake Family Resource Center because it will help reduce the stress impacting the families with childcare needs,” Dodd shared.
Noting the “heartwarming” actions coming from outside Lake County to assist with recovery efforts, MLCU Chief Executive Officer Richard Cooper said, “MLCU is thankful for the donations from credit unions across the state and beyond. We appreciate the assistance of RCU and the California Credit Union League for their efforts in getting the word out about the tremendous need.”
RCU’s President & CEO Brett Martinez, who also participated in the Friday evening check presentation, added, “It’s exciting to see how so many organizations and people coming together to support Lake County is helping the community move forward.”
Diana Dykstra, President/CEO of the California Credit Union League, said. “I’m so proud of the credit union community for coming together to raise these funds to support families and individuals who endured losses in these devastating fires. Our partnership with Fire Family Foundation amplified the call to action nationally.”