Generous Donation to Aid Rebuilding of Homes and
Provide Local Childcare Services
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| From left: Diana Dykstra (California Credit Union League), Brett Martinez (Redwood Credit Union), Richard Cooper (Mendo Lakes Credit Union) and Robin McCarthy (Fire Family Foundation). |
MIDDLETOWN, CA — Fire survivors who lost homes in the devastating Lake
County fires and residents struggling with local childcare will benefit from a
generous 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 added. She shared 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, shared, “It’s exciting to see how so many
organizations and people coming together to support Lake County is helping the
community move forward.”
Team Lake County Chair Shelly Mascari expressed her appreciation for the
combined efforts of credit unions. “Team Lake County is so grateful for this
contribution to the infrastructure of our community. With this support, Lake
County will have the opportunity to recover and thrive in the future.”
Fire Family Foundation Executive Director Robin McCarthy explained,
“These fires shattered communities and families. Our foundation answers the
need when tragedy strikes. Our commitment to firefighters and fire survivors
like this, enables us to offer a helping hand in times of grief. We hope our
$80,000 donation will provide a better future for this community.”
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.”
Donations are still being accepted via the Lake County Wildfire Relief
Fund through Mendo Lake Credit Union or North Coast Opportunities (NCO), a
local nonprofit. For more information, visit mlcu.org or ncoinc.org.
ABOUT FIRE FAMILY FOUNDATION As the charitable
hand of Firefighters First Credit Union, Fire Family Foundation responds when
tragedy strikes, offering compassion and financial assistance to firefighters
and fire survivors in need. In 2015, the Foundation provided more than $175,000
in immediate assistance to firefighters and their families, fire survivors,
fire departments and charities. Support is widespread throughout the State of
California; this year attention is given to Northern Californian communities
and fire personnel who experienced a devastating fire season. The Foundation
believes that those in need can experience comfort, healing, and support from
their “Fire Family.” www.FireFamilyFoundation.org
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