Credit Unions Donate to Aid Lake County Fire Survivors

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 (FFF). A donation of $60,000 was made recently at the Middletown Fire Station to Hope City, a disaster relief agency rebuilding 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 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 the North Bay’s Redwood Credit Union (RCU) and Mendo Lake Credit Union (MLCU), along with the California Credit Union League (CCUL) to identify the greatest needs of fire survivors and provide the funding. Foundation executive director Robin McCarthy along with credit union and league representatives presented the checks to Hope City chief executive officer Kevin Cox and Team Lake County chair Shelly Mascari this month.

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 it becomes a $120,000 donation. The selection of families for receipt of Hope City’s assistance is needs-based, with aid going to individuals who had little or no insurance and may have other extenuating circumstances. “We’re thankful to the Foundation and local 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 recipient of FFF grant funds was Lake Family Resource Center (LFRC), which provides childcare in Lake County. “We’re grateful for the focus on childcare needs for those impacted by the fire,” said Jennifer Dodd, LFRC’s executive director. “The grant will help families with childcare services so they can get back to work knowing their children are cared for,” Dodd added. She shared many fire survivors have challenges with transportation, changed school schedules, and the disappearance of off-site daycares in the area. “These funds will help reduce the stress impacting families in the area who have children,” Dodd shared.

RCU’s president & CEO Brett Martinez shared, “It’s exciting to see how so many organizations and people coming together to support Lake County is helping the community move forward.”

Noting the “heartwarming” actions coming from outside Lake County to assist with recovery efforts, MLCU chief executive officer Richard Cooper said, “We’re thankful for the donations from credit unions across the state and beyond. We appreciate the efforts of Redwood Credit Union and the California Credit Union League in getting the word out about the tremendous need in Lake County.”