Your Red Cross Update

As communities across Lake County transition from response to recovery for the Mendocino Complex Fire, the American Red Cross would like to share its gratitude to all our partners that have worked so hard to care for the thousands of people impacted by this disaster over the past two weeks.

Thank you to all first responders, law enforcement, and fire departments. Truly heroic efforts! Sheriff Martin and officers kept us safe and informed during evacuations, while firefighters continue to battle this fire.

Thank you to the schools, administrators, and their amazing staff at Lower Lake High School, Middletown High School and Middle School, Kelseyville High School and Elementary School, Mount Vista Middle School, and Mendocino Community College. All sacrificed so much and showed up every day (and night!) to open their doors and care for their neighbors.

Thank you to social service agencies, including Lake County Social Services for working so hard in the shelters every day, in addition to Health and Behavioral Health, Medical Reserve Corps, and World Healing Hands for their work around the community

Thank you to local businesses like Twin Pine Casino, for sheltering community members during evacuations and being one of the first shelters to open and the last close, ensuring people had a safe place to stay.

Thank you to food providers for their culinary skills by keeping our community well feed with hot meals every day. From chefs Tommy Mingori and Guy Fieri to the crews at World Central Kitchen, Salvation Army, volunteers at Lower Lake High School, and local business and restaurants for stepping up to provide food and serve.

Thank you to community agencies and churches for the use of their facilities for disaster relief efforts – staff shelters, operations centers, and warehouses.

Thank you to community leaders and local officials that helped ensure information and resources were available and appropriate for our communities.

And many thanks to 300+ Red Cross Volunteers, especially our local folks, some of whom were evacuated, yet remained on the job to help their neighbors. Many of these local volunteers lived through nine major disaster relief operations over the last three years, and remain resilient. There are also hundreds of volunteers who traveled a far distance to help here in Lake County. My heart is full from witnessing their selflessness.

As we know from past disasters, there is still much work to be done. Residents can seek recovery assistance this week at the Alpine Senior Center in Lucerne from a multitude of agencies armed with the resources to help people get back on their feet.

Thank you again and let’s continue to stand strong together!

Jeff Baumgartner
Executive Director
American Red Cross California Northwest Chapter