After the Valley Fire erupted in Lake County last week, burning 75 thousand acres and destroying more than 500 homes, including Middletown, Cobb and surroundings, and forcing thousands of people to flee, disaster response began to mobilize, raising over $18,000.
In Sebastopol, locally owned Community Market and Andy’s Market began donation drives, with trucks streaming northward full of disaster relief supplies for Lake County residents. Restaurants held fundraisers. Evan Wiig of the Farmer’s Guild and the Sebastopol Grange organized a fundraiser in 72 hours, held last Thursday at the Grange. Chef’s pitched in, farmers donated produce, cheese makers donated cheese, dessert makers brought pies and cakes, Strauss ice cream was donated, and an amazing silent auction was held with seemingly countless donations. West County schools donated the use of their Analy parking lot and shuttle buses were donated. More than 300 people showed up and over $18,000 was raised!
As I watched all these events unfold it made me reflect on the power of community. Sometimes we feel discouraged because we feel unable to turn world events in a good direction. But when this disaster struck, the responses were, and continue to be, amazing. The feeling Thursday night at the Grange was beautiful, so many people united in service to those in need. One message I get loud and clear. Together united we are powerful. May we remember that and work together more and more.
Jerry Allen, President
Sebastopol Grange
sebastopolgrange.org