Fire in My Mother’s Neighborhood

Posted on October 25, 2003 in Appeals and Goodwill Old Fire

The house where I grew up is either threatened or burned down by the blaze that has ripped through San Bernardino, California. We will be going up first thing in the morning to see what has happened. If the house has been spared, I plan to volunteer to help clean up or work at the evacuation center.

We’re counting on a freeway as a fireline between the front of the fire and my mother’s house. One hundred homes in a neighborhood where I had many friends have been brought down. We will not know until morning what has happened. I plan to drive up with Lynn to see what is needed.

There will be many needs after the ashes cool. Volunteers will be needed at the evacuation centers. People with shovels and brooms will be needed to help families clean up what is left after the blaze. Food and clothing will be required, too. Make sure that the food is something that you yourself would eat, the clothing something that can be worn.

I will have a better idea of what people need after I visit. Hopefully we will not be among the casualties and can give aid to others.

My mother is staying with a friend in Riverside, well behind the fire lines.

If you live in Southern California and have time to volunteer this week, send email to SBfirehelp@alsirat.com.

Watch this site for updates.