Used and Unusable Donations For Camp Fire Victims Take Up Space and Volunteers Time

It’s in our nature to help. But what happens when our “Help” is more of a “Hindrance”?

The wildfires in Butte County are truly devastating in every sense of the word. And it pains our hearts to watch the images coming from City of Paradise on the big screen and the small screen in our hands. In turn, we instinctively want to use our hands to help our fellow neighbors.

However, Space is at a premium at the evacuation centers and it’s need for the influx of displaced people, pets and livestock. When well-intentioned items are donated they pile up and can cause a problem.

We have buildings full of stuff,” said Kathy Ingvoldsen, business associate at the Butte County Fairgrounds. “In four hours we filled up a 5,000-square-foot building full of clothes. They’re stacked up on tables five feet high.”

Unfortunately, evacuees, particularly the victims who have lost their homes, don’t have anywhere to put the avalanche of donated items.

“Our community is amazing!” Says Ingvoldsen.

But donations need to be tailored for the needs of the evacuees.

Meghan O’Hara with the American Red Cross recalls receiving a box of donated Frisbees as she oversaw relief efforts in earthquake-shattered Haiti in 2010, NPR reported.

“Wow. That $60 or $70 could have been sent to so many different organizations to help out in so many different ways, and now we have a box of Frisbees,” O’Hara said, according to the station. 

Money and Gift cards and the best way to help.

This year the Kat Country 103 Christmas Show will send 100% of Proceeds to benefit The Camp Fire Victims Fund.

The concert is December 1st , 7p-9p at The Udder Place in Turlock. Starring, Walker Hayes (You Broke Up With Me.) Brandon Lay (YaDa YaDa YaDa.) Claire Dunn ( Tuxedo, More.) Doors open at 6:15pm. This is a 21 and Up show only.

There are a limited number of tickets, Click here to get yours now!!

Other Ways to help Camp Fire Victims:

Butte County Fairgrounds: Drop off or mail gift cards and monetary donations to the fairgrounds at 199 East Hazel St. in Gridley. Visa gift cards are needed for vet bills for injured and burned animals, and for items for people. Call 530-846-3626.

Neighborhood Church: Mail or drop off donations at Evacuation Shelters, Neighborhood Church of Chico, 2801 Notre Dame Blvd. in Chico, California 95928. Call 530-343-6006.

Oroville Hope Center: Donate money at https://www.orovillehopecenter.org/ Send or bring donations of backpack, luggage and new underwear, new bedding, new towels and paper products to the center at 1950 Kitrick Ave. A in Oroville, California 95966.

Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds evacuation center: Bring pet food, cat litter and livestock feed to the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds at 442 Franklin Ave. in Yuba City, California 95991. Call 530-674-1280. Donate online on the Yuba County Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/YubaCounty/

Yuba-Sutter Habitat for Humanity: Send donations to, or drop them off at Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter ReStore at 202 D St. in Marysville, California 95901

Kat Country 103 listeners are the best in the world and when there is a need in the valley they are the first to step up. Keep helping in any way you can that will support the volunteer organizations and victims of these awful tragedies.

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