Donations for Fire Victims

Thank you so much for your quick and generous response to a request for clothes and blankets for the victims of the Camp Fire. We sent a packed carload of warm coats and jackets and blankets to Chico on Wednesday afternoon. And we have even more clothing and shoes still here at the church.

I have been asked not to drive another carload of clothing to the Chico area. They are presently saturated with clothing donations. The blankets and warm jackets were very welcome, but we have been asked to give the remaining clothing to the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, or Goodwill. These organizations will get the clothing to areas most in need, including those impacted by other fires and hurricanes. I was told that Goodwill and Salvation Army will give (rather than sell) items to people from disaster areas.

The Rev. James Peck, a UCC minister from Chico, took our blankets and jackets back to Chico with him today. We talked briefly about the fact that in a week or three the main part of the fire drama will (hopefully) be over. But the work of putting lives back in order will only be starting. There may be other opportunities for Arlington Community Church to support the Paradise community. If so, we can be sure that ACC will respond with full hearts. To echo Rev. Susan Meeter's sermon last Sunday, we will be "all in." Thank you, everyone.

- Sara Laferte