Angora relief center info

November 9, 2007 Contact:
Carrie Reiter
530.542.4656
Mark Lucksinger
30.541.6406

Angora Survivors Getting Much Needed Help

South Lake Tahoe, CA. The Angora Fire Fund Board is pleased to announce that thanks to the generosity of many local businesses, residents and organizations outside of our community the Angora Fire Fund (Locals for Locals) has received over $450,000 as of today with $446,000 thus- far being distributed directly to fire survivors.

Board President Mark Lucksinger had this to add to the great news “Equally important is the establishment of a Community Disaster Resource Center (CDRC) that has been set up as a sub-committee of the Angora Fire Fund. The CDRC was formed to fill a need expressed by the survivors as they were seeking one central place to access information for resources and assistance. The CDRC Administrative Director is Carrie Reiter and she has already begun to meet with the survivors. Chairman of this committee is long time local resident Dick Schwarte. Carrie will complete an application with each survivor to determine the totality of unmet needs and she will then turn to a multitude of resources to fill those needs either by in-kind or monetary donations. We are encouraging all survivors to contact Carrie at 530.542.4656 or laketahoecdrc@yahoo.com to set up a meeting.”

Funds donated to the Angora Fire Fund are restricted for the survivors and thus none of those funds have been or will be used for CDRC expenses. However, thanks to the generosity of community members the CDRC was provided with $15,000 seed money from Heavenly via the sale of the Olympic chairs. The CDRC will accept financial and in-kind donations to assist the families on a “needs based” assessment.

“There are very real and significant unmet needs that the community can now help with such as volunteers to assist in the CDRC and winter supplies and items” states Carrie.

A partial list of volunteer needs and requested items appears below:

 Volunteer caseworkers (5) to commit to 8 to 15 hours per week
 Volunteer administrative assistants (3) to commit to 4 to 8 hours per week
 Office supplies such as stationary, stamps, cork board & information display tables
 A couch for the CDRC to make it more comfortable for parents & children
 Especially needed for the families are new or very near new skis, boards, snow blowers, snow shovels and related winter equipment and clothing.

“Additionally, I would like organizations, Service Clubs and Churches to know that there will be opportunities to take on special projects or fund unmet needs of the families. As it is not feasible for me to visit and meet our vast and giving community I am encouraging these sorts of groups to contact me and inform me of their specific criteria, resources and willingness to assist” continues Reiter. This will enable the CDRC to turn to these organizations over the coming year as needs arise whether they are monetary or require helping hands.”

“In conclusion the entire Board for the Angora Fire Fund would like to thank the businesses and residents of this community for really stepping up to help in such a time of need. We are moving along the recovery road, but we have a long way to go and I trust that together we will heal and become stronger as a community” concludes Lucksinger. Donations to the Angora Fire Fund will continue to be accepted and distributed. Go to www.helptahoe.com for more information.
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