Angora Fire--where is the money

Unedited 08-07 Tahoe Mt. News story

Big bucks being raised

By Kathryn Reed

How much money is given to the hundreds of South Shore residents displaced by the Angora Fire may never be known.
Multitudes of fundraisers have occurred since the inferno began June 24. More are planned. Victims have received unknown quantities of cash and goods from friends.
The needs were immediate – food, clothing and shelter. They were secondary – a computer, tools and vehicles. They will be ongoing – rebuilding in the physical and emotional sense.
There is no “big brother” to make sure all the money raised goes to the purpose donors intended. If someone believes funds have been misappropriated, they should file a complaint with the police or sheriff’s departments. Then the district attorney’s office will get involved.
As of press time, no complaints had been filed.
Many people and groups are raising money. Here are what some have done or plan to do:
Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/)
To date, the American Red Cross has collected the most amount of money for the Angora relief effort -- $610,004.
Courtney Miller with the Sacramento-Sierra Chapter said even in early August the agency was still accessing its Angora budget. She didn’t know what it cost to operate the evacuation center at the city Recreation Center or what might be leftover.
Miller did say the Red Cross helped 205 people, served more than 10,000 meals and snacks, and provided more than 210 cleanup kits to victims.
The Red Cross is not a replacement for insurance coverage. The nonprofit arrives at disasters to help with food, shelter, emotional support including counseling, basic first aid and cleanup supplies.
When Angora was raging the Red Cross was also assisting with the Texas and Midwest floods, and fires in Utah and Alaska.
“The services of the American Red Cross are free based on the generosity of others who’ve donated,” said Jenny Carrick of the regional Red Cross chapter. The agency prefers donations directed to the national disaster fund instead of to a specific tragedy.
All funds earmarked for Angora will be spent in Tahoe. After paying its bills here, the Red Cross will use the remaining money for long-term recovery needs.
Miller said employees will meet with the 205 clients to determine their needs, and work with them as well as with other agencies in town to determine how best to distribute whatever funds it has left.
Lake Tahoe Angora Fire Fund (http://helptahoe.org/)
The South Shore chamber almost immediately started Local for Locals which evolved into the nonprofit Angora Fire Fund. Rotarian Mark Lucksinger presides over the fund that is no longer chamber based.
Through August it will be doling out checks each Friday to victims who have filled out an application and need immediate help. Then, more long-term needs will be assessed.
The first round of about $23,000 went out July 27, with another nearly $30,000 worth of checks written Aug. 3.
“Our mission statement says we are trying to support local residents,” Lucksinger said. “We are not attempting to reach second homeowners. We want people who were living here – owners or tenants.”
The bank account fluctuates as donations come in and money is doled out.
The initial $10,000 in handouts was filtered through Sierra Community Church because the Angora Fire Fund didn’t have its 501(c)3 status and Rex McQuillen is affiliated with both entities. Lucksinger said religion played no roll in who got money.
Of the initial 25 applicants, 16 demonstrated an immediate need for cash. Individuals were given $500 and families $1,000.
“Immediate needs include clothing, food, furniture, tools, general living expenses,” Lucksinger said. “Many of them have lost income where they were off work for a period of time during and immediately after the fire. They just need income assistance to get by.”
Long-term needs are likely to be known once people settle with insurance companies and find out if they are underinsured.
Lucksinger said the bulk of the nearly $200,000 in the bank is from locals. More is pledged, including $75,000 from Heavenly Mountain Resort. Lake Tahoe Development’s $75,000 check has been cashed, as has the $5,000 from the local Moose Lodge.
The account is likely to remain open another year based on what comes in and what goes out.
“We will make every effort o reach everybody (burned out),” Lucksinger said.
Education fund (PO Box 13206, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151)
About $40,000 has been pledged to the South Tahoe Educators Association to help fire victims. The money will likely be distributed to the 12 teachers, one administrator, six classified and three retirees who were burned out.
“A group of three of us will look at the requests we get and put the money where it’s needed. What we’ve done is we raised enough money to send everybody something initially and then we’ve asked people what else they need,” said Mike Patterson with the local teachers’ union. “We will accept money through the calendar year. We’re not sure if we’ll go beyond that. It depends on what people need.”
The week after the fire he was in Philadelphia for the National Education Association meeting. He brought home $15,000 for the relief fund.
Barton Memorial (530-543-5617)
Fifteen families associated with Barton Memorial Hospital lost their homes this summer. Immediately they were given $750 through the hospital’s Friends in Need Fund.
That fund was established years ago for employees who need help financially. Payroll deductions fuel it.
Normally employees apply for the money. The fire was the exception to that rule.
The Washington state company that prints the company’s newsletter donated $5,000 to the fund.
Spokeswoman Denise Sloan said the thousands of dollars given to the hospital to be spent on community fire relief efforts has been given to the Angora Fire Fund.
South Tahoe Realtors
Nearly $50,000 has been given to the South Tahoe Association of Realtors to help fire victims. The money will be distributed to members, their employees or people associated with the real estate industry like those working for title companies.
The largest contribution -- $25,000 – came from the Nevada Association of Realtors.
The South Lake agency is partnering with the El Dorado Community Foundation, an established nonprofit, so legal and tax issues are met.
“(Distribution) is going to be based on need,” said Cheryl Murakami, president of the local association.
Sierra-at-Tahoe
One year-round and four seasonal employees at Sierra-at-Tahoe lost their homes. Booth Creek, the parent company, has given more than $15,000 to the victims.
The ski resort has partnered with News10 in Sacramento in an online raffle called Help Begins at Home. The $3,000 will be split between the Angora Fire Fund and Keep Tahoe Safe with Defensible Space.
Another $600 had been collected to buy grocery gift cards for “friends of Sierra” – workers and season pass holders.
“Besides collecting donations for the grocery cards, we are planning a fundraising event for the beginning of the season with lots of giveaways,” said spokeswoman Kirsten Cattell.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Two Kirkwood employees lost their homes and others were evacuated. About $20,000 has been raised for fire relief, according to spokesman Allon Cohne. Some will go directly to Kirkwood workers, some is likely to reach the Red Cross and Angora Fire Fund.
The future
Lt. Marty Hackett with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department said his agency will help coordinate a meeting this month to assemble organizations which are distributing money.
“We will facilitate their discussion so they have an opportunity to share their own information on how they are doing things,” Hackett said. “We will see what kind of coordination they want to have among themselves.”
Because of the limited building season in the basin, it could be 2009 before people move into a permanent home. This means long-term needs will be ongoing for some time.
“We know more fundraising will need to be done,” Hackett said.
Immediate fundraisers include the Aug. 19 concert put on by Harrah’s Lake Tahoe South Shore Room and Jesse Kalin. The leader of Cool Black Kettle has assembled a slew of bands to perform that night.
The $20 entry fee, raffle and silent auction proceeds will go to the Angora Fire Fund.
Some of the bands playing that night include the Shamus Band, Lavish Green, 5 O’clock Charlie and Jeff Jones Band.
Guitars signed by Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride and Fergie will be in the silent auction
On Aug. 24 the South Shore Chamber is sponsoring a 3 p.m. shotgun start for a golf and dinner tournament. The money goes to the Angora fund.
To register, call (530) 577-0788, ext. 7 or go to the pro shop at Lake Tahoe Golf Course.