Angora -- Update on where the money is going

unedited 1/08 T. Mt.News story



By Kathryn Reed

Money can buy a little happiness. Just ask a survivor of the Angora Fire.
Letters of thanks keep filling up the Lake Tahoe Fire Fund post office box. Monetary donations arrive and soon thereafter checks are written to the hundreds who’ve requested assistance after losing their worldly belongings in the June 24 inferno.
The following are excerpts from a sampling of those letters:
“I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to receive the second check from this fund. It could not have arrived at a better time. I was in the process of settling down into a new home, unfurnished, and was not sure how I would be able to purchase all the necessary things that we needed. And with Christmas coming up soon, I was not sure how I would be able to provide a Christmas for my sons – one that would be the beginning of new memories and traditions for us, since all of the things we cherished so much is past Christmas’s were lost in the fire.” – Jeralee Callian
“Thank you for your generous check of $1000, your support is so kind. John used the money to begin replacing his tools & electrical equipment. We are so blessed to live in such a caring community.” -- John and Susan Baker
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support. We are truly indebted to our great community.” – Bill, Karen and Kelly Haslam
“I wish to say thank you for all you are doing for those of us who have lost our homes. Although June 24th was a dark day in South Lake Tahoe history, June 25th was a ray of sunshine. We live in a great community of caring families and business. While we may have lost our home, our spirit soars with the outpouring of love and well wishes. Thank you for what you are doing for us.” – Tom, Carry and Sid Loomis
“A total loss of property from a wildfire is only the beginning of a very long recovery. Even though the event is external, the impact is almost as severe as losing a loved one. The only difference is that the loss of property is the beginning of the tailspin. Everything gets WORSE after the fire. … The Angora Fire Fund proves how strong this community is … I can’t even being to express how much you all have helped us. It’s not just the financial aid, it’s the fact that the Community created a sense of healing for all of us.” – Solange Schwalbe
It’s a bittersweet job for the 11 board members of the nonprofit that spawned from the South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s initial efforts to help raise cash. Giving is wonderful; it’s the circumstances that make it difficult.
The board thought it was almost out of business in November when the last round of checks went out – about $300,000 in increments ranging from $1,000 to $6,000. Just as the account was about depleted, more money arrived. The $100,000 pledged by Charles Barkley during the celebrity golf tournament is supposed to arrive any day.
As of late last year, the group had collected $622,000 and distributed $480,000. To qualify for funding, people had to fill out an application. About 135 households have received money.
The board will meet again this month to decide how to distribute the next round of money as well as how to merge with the Community Disaster Resource Center. Carrie Reiter is running the CDRC, which came about as a subcommittee of the Fire Fund to address long-term needs of survivors.
Reiter and a handful of volunteers are helping with current and anticipated needs of Angora survivors. She works with local agencies to assist survivors, is writing grant proposals and is essentially a case worker for those in need.
“I would say a lot of people have the same requests, but every situation is entirely unique. There is no cookie-cutter situation,” Reiter said.
Before the holidays, people were inquiring about counseling. Tahoe Youth & Family Services is the primary resource for those with children. Private therapists have donated time to others.
Needs keep changing. Early on it was money for rent and deposits. In the spring and beyond when people start moving into their rebuilt homes Reiter expects landscaping to be the major concern because she already has 150 requests for help in that arena.
“And some will need contents,” Reiter said. “I’m putting out grant (requests) for furniture, appliances, that type of thing.”
With paperwork and disc drives all gone up in smoke, April 15 seems more ominous than most years for many people.
“I need people who specialize in accounting for tax season. I’ve had a lot of questions about taxes and accounting,” Reiter said.
Reiter has 310 active cases, which accounts for more than 600 people. She says most people are underinsured – the average being $150,000 underinsured, and the range between $40,000 and $400,000.
No timetable exists for either group to disband. Reiter expects people will have needs through fall 2009 that she can help with.
She sees people by appointment only. Call (530) 542-4656. Reiter would also like to hear from people who have services to donate, though she does not have space to take donated goods. Her office is in the Pine Cone Plaza on Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe.
To donate to the Angora Fire Fund, go to www.helptahoe.com or call (775) 588-1728, ext. 300.