On the heels of the devastating wildfires that recently swept through Southern California, the Notre Dame Club of San Diego has leaped into action, extending offers of assistance to those whose lives were disrupted by the tragedy.
Club President Barney King’s family was among the more than one million people evacuated in Southern California.
“Fortunately, (my family) returned to our home safe; our house was dirty but intact. Others are not nearly as fortunate,” he said. “Many already know they have lost their homes. Many are still at risk. Those affected by the local wildfires stretch from the far northern reaches of San Diego County down to the border and into Mexico.”
Once again relying on its strong community-focused service attitude, the ND Club of San Diego is assessing other means by which it can assist the larger community. Club Vice President Kevin Reisch has coordinated with the local Habitat for Humanity, and the club will be closely involved with the first rebuilding projects, which will likely begin in early 2008.
Additionally, the club is working with local churches to identify other specific needs. Most recently, club members assisted in providing meals for a detention center that lost cooking facilities and refrigerators in the fire. It also assisted a church in laying retention barriers and sand bags to help provide erosion control for the homes of several parish families.
Now the ND Club of San Diego hopes to act as a conduit, matching those in the local Notre Dame community who have sustained losses with others who can provide meaningful assistance and aid. Interested in lending a hand? The following is a list of the initiatives currently underway and in need of assistance:
- Volunteering at Shelters: If you have an interest in volunteering at the various shelters, check the “San Diego Union Tribune” website for the various locations and contact the shelter for details.
- Donate Items and Services: The ND Club of San Diego is willing to coordinate deliveries of donated items such as food, water and clothes, as well as the provision of services described in the next paragraph. To communicate specific needs for donated items or services, please contact Carolyn Schmidt at 619-985-5528 or ndcarolyn@gmail.com.
- Provision of Items and Services: The club is attempting to connect those with specific issues to lawyers and insurance representatives as appropriate (and depending on volunteers). In addition, it may be able to coordinate temporary shelter for displaced families and babysitting or pet sitting services. This is an area where the club needs several volunteers who can offer time and assistance. If you would like to donate items or volunteer your services to the fire relief effort benefiting the local Notre Dame community (e.g., consulting expertise on fire loss issues, transportation, help with cleanup efforts, temporary shelter, babysitting or pet sitting services), contact either Kate Besch at 619-857-6593 or kbesch@gordonrees.com, or Lee de los Reyes at 858-248-1396 or sdelosreyes@alumni.nd.edu.
While working to help rebuild its neighboring communities over the next several months, the ND Club of San Diego will keep resource and volunteer information available on its website. If you would like to provide assistance, please contact the club president directly.
