Residents who lost their homes and belongings in the September Beachie Creek and Lionshead fires are getting a helping hand from their neighbors via the Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund, which topped $2 million by mid-October.
“The outpouring of support has been incredible,” said Terry Fletchall, CEO of Santiam Hospital, which oversees the Service Integration Teams. “The fact that we’ve been able to raise this much in such a short time is a testament to the spirit of generosity in our community and across the state. It also speaks to the affection that so many people have for our region. Volunteers are mobilized, and we are already putting the contributions to work to help our neighbors affected by the disaster.”
SIT volunteer Deana Freres believes the team’s message of “pivoting the story of the Santiam Fire into the story of Santiam Canyon resilience” is resonating.
Volunteers working at the Gates Community Church site “are serving 400 meals a day and seeing 100 households a day coming through the ‘store,’” Melissa Baurer, SIT coordinator said. “Our housing subcommittee, consisting of SIT, Arches, St. Francis, Marion County, DevNW and Family Promise, has over 100 families that we are helping find permanent housing.”
A second resource site is the Anthony Hall Wildfire Resource Center at the Harvest Festival grounds in Sublimity. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The Gates Community Church resource center is open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers from Silverton Lions Club and Silverton Elks Lodge #2210 are serving lunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center and dinner from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
A third “store” recently opened in Detroit at Detroit Storage on Front Street, and is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
“More than 200 volunteers have been mobilized to sort donated items, prepare meals, staff the resource centers, and otherwise help those seeking assistance,” Baurer said. “We recently began matching donated cars to families who lost theirs in the fire. We continue to connect with new families who are seeking our help for the first time.”
Distribution of funds will be overseen by a group of community members. Monies raised will be used in three phases: getting people into safe shelter, making sure their basic needs are met; assisting people with cleanup needs from the fire; and rebuilding the affected communities.
All donations made directly to the Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund are tax-deductible. The fund has 501c3 status and is held in a local account at Columbia Bank. All of monies contributed will be distributed to meet the needs of canyon residents.
Donated resources are being coordinated through the Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund Facebook page, and will be matched to individuals and families.
With emergency short-term relief efforts underway, the group is also working with SEDCOR and local legislators to mobilize support for the next steps of cleanup and rebuilding.
“Our job is just getting started,” Freres said. “We recognize that relief and recovery will be ongoing for months and stretching into years, so we are in this for the long term. We are looking forward to partnering with donors, volunteers, local businesses and government agencies that are ready to do the hard work of rebuilding our affected communities.”
Donations can be made online at www.santiamcanyonwildfirerelieffund.org. Those in need of financial, material or service support can contact SIT by calling 503-409-3652, or emailing [email protected]. More can be found on the SCWRF website or Facebook page.
Donation Sites
SIT Mobile 101 Center St., Suite A, Sublimity. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.
Immaculate Conception Church Office (Main Doors) 1077 N. 6th Ave, Stayton. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday – Friday.
Cascade School District 10226 Marion Road S.E. , Turner. 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday –Friday
13th Street Nursery 1298 13th St. S.E., Salem. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday.
