EVERETT — Wildfires continue to ravage communities in Central and Eastern Washington. Volunteers and nonprofits have turned their focus to raising funds and collecting supplies for people displaced by the flames, many of whom are waiting to learn if their homes will make it through the fire season.
Sarah McCreadie, who grew up in Arlington and now lives in SeaTac, knows at least one family who doesn’t have a house anymore. Her family’s vacation property burned and when she ventured over the mountains last week to see the damage, she found out a retired couple who lived next door had lost their home.
“I was over there and I just saw the destruction and the devastation,” she said.
She urges people to give back in whatever way they can. McCreadie and her fiance, Chris Roark, are hosting a donation event and plan to drive supplies over to the Chelan area later this month.
There are a number of other ways people can give. Here are some options:
McCreadie and Roark are collecting donations Tuesday evening at Barbacoa Mexican Grill and Tequila Bar, 1321 SE Everett Mall Way. The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. They hope to fill a flatbed trailer with supplies such as bottled water, paper plates and plastic utensils, toilet paper, ready-to-eat food such as peanut butter or canned fruit, dog and cat food, baby supplies, new socks and underwear, first aid kits and gas cards. They also are looking for some larger items such as cots, coolers, suitcases, air purifiers and vouchers for hotel rooms. They plan to head over to Chelan next week with whatever donations they collect. People also can donate online at www.gofundme.com/p729h684. McCreadie plans to use that money to help people cover insurance deductibles for vehicles destroyed in the fires.
Red Onion Burger, 21005 44th Ave. W in Mountlake Terrace, plans to donate 100 percent of cash tips, 50 percent of credit card tips and 50 percent of total purchases Thursday to the Community Foundation of North Central Washington. The fundraiser goes from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Community Foundation of North Central Washington, which serves Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan counties, has started an online fundraising campaign. Donations to the 2015 Chelan Valley Fire Relief Fund can be made online at cfncw.smalldognet.com/erp/donate.
United Way of Chelan and Douglas Counties also has launched a wildfire relief fund. Donations can be made by mailing a check, with “wildfire” written on the memo line, to United Way at PO Box 488, Wenatchee, WA 98807, or by clicking the “Wildfire Relief” button at uwcdc.org.
The American Red Cross is asking for monetary donations for general disaster relief, which this year includes Northwest wildfires. People can donate by going to redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-27677) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The Salvation Army Northwest Division is accepting donations for wildfire relief in Washington and Idaho. Donations can be made online at www.salvationarmynw.org by clicking on “Donate Now” under the “Wildfires” category. People also can call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) and specify their donation for the northwest wildfires, or mail a check marked “Northwest Fires” to The Salvation Army Northwest Divisional Headquarters, PO Box 9219 Seattle, WA 98109.
The Okanogan County Community Action Council is accepting donations for wildfire victims online at www.occac.com.
Chelan Valley Hope and Give Naked have partnered to raise money for people displaced by wildfires. Donations can be made online at givenaked.org/2015/08/17.
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