Updated October 27, 2017

During the night on Sunday, October 8th 14 separate fires erupted in the North Bay communities of, Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties. Tens of thousands of residents fled for their lives with, in most cases, just the clothes on their backs. Many of those residents are still displaced, having lost their homes or their homes being currently unlivable. To date, nearly 8,000 structures have been destroyed and many lives have been lost with the death toll creeping up almost daily. The immediate financial needs for these communities are vast.

The Rotary District 5130 Fire Relief Fund is now accepting cash donations to support those in Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties. “The magnitude of the devastation that is occurring right now in the North Bay and Wine Country is vast and far reaching. The recovery and rebuild is going to be a long process but we are confident that we can lead the way in bringing these communities back. Rotarians know how to get things done and won’t stop until we reach the finish line.” Stated Bob Rogers, Rotary District 5130 Governor.

The Rotary 5130 Fire Relief Fund is administered by Rotarians and supports a multitude of areas of need as identified, including but not limited to; small business grants, housing, shelter support, grief counseling, unmet needs and any other assistance to the businesses and residents that have been displaced by this tragedy. 100% of all donations will be used to support the fire survivors with no fund overhead expense.

The fund is the outgrowth of The Lake Area Rotary Club Fire Relief Fund (LARCA) that was created by the Lake County Rotary clubs in 2015 after a series of fires ravaged through their communities, including the devastating Valley Fire, and raised nearly $1 Million. The LARCA fund has been successfully deployed these past 18 months. Ron Roberts, President of the Lake Area Rotary Club Association said, “The goal of our committee from day 1 has been to find the holes in the system and get the help to where it is needed most and do it with zero overhead costs.” He goes on to state, “With the onslaught of these new and incredibly devastating fires in our neighboring counties, it’s now time to take that knowledge and experience we gained here in Lake County and expand it to help others.”

For more information on the fund or to donate online, go to www.larca5130.org/donate. Questions can be sent to larca5130@gmail.com Checks can be mailed payable to:

“LARCA Rotary District 5130 Fire Relief Fund”
PO Box 2921
Clearlake CA 95422

501c3 Non-Profit # 46-1149482