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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Four weeks ago, the Valley Fire erupted across Lake County.

The third most destructive wildfire in California’s history, it burned 76,067 acres and 1,958 structures, claimed several lives, and left thousands homeless and unemployed.

With Cal Fire recently announcing 100-percent containment, it’s time to focus on recovery.

One element of that recovery is the Valley Fire Relief Fund, run by North Coast Opportunities (NCO) and Mendo Lake Credit Union (MLCU) in partnership with Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Tri Counties Bank and United Way of Wine Country.

To date, the fund has sent 470 checks in $1,500 increments directly to fire victims, for a total of $705,000.

This money is not taxable income, and each individual can decide how best to use the funds toward recovery. 

Before money is disbursed, an NCO staff member or volunteer checks the address to verify damage and, in the case of renters, calls the landlord to confirm tenancy.

In most cases, the first time an applicant hears that his or her application was approved is when they open the letter containing the check.

“With so many applications, we need to focus on getting everything organized, getting addresses verified, and sending checks out,” said NCO Chief Financial Officer Carolyn Welch. “Making phone calls is a low priority right now, though we do our best to return the many phone calls and e-mails we get every day.”

The response of donors and recipients alike to the Valley Fire Relief Fund has been overwhelmingly positive.

Donors have said they are happy to have a trustworthy place to give money, and appreciate that no administrative costs are taken out. In contrast, relief efforts after the Napa earthquake used an average of 30-percent in administrative costs.

And recipients have expressed their gratitutde for the financial assistance. “NCO has been so important for us here in Lake County, like a beacon of light,” said one recipient who asked to remain nameless. “The generosity of NCO and its partners is so beautiful; I’m overwhelmed by it.”

The groups acknowledged that there are frustrated applicants as well. With more than 1,000 applications it’s impossible to review them all at once, and many people are still waiting. The managing committee sorts applications into one of four priority levels, and they are being funded in that order.

“We understand that everyone has need and we truly are trying to help everyone if possible,” said Connie Conser, a managing committee member. “Of course, that will depend on how much more money we are able to raise.”

As soon as it became clear how devastating the fire was, financial support poured in from around the country. Thousands of donations ranging from $10 to $5,000 were deposited via PayPal, and many hundreds more were taken to MLCU, Savings Bank and United Way.

There also were large donations from organizations, businesses and fundraising efforts through sites like GoFundMe.

Major donors include the Tri Counties Bank, which raised $40,000 from its customers and contributed an additional $10,000. The Bay Area Real Estate Information Services group raised $36,500, and Sutter Lakeside Hospital donated $25,000.

Redwood Credit Union Community Fund Inc. – in conjunction with Redwood Credit Union, the Press Democrat, and Senator Mike McGuire – also has made a significant initial contribution from the RCU Lake County Fire Victim Relief Fund, thanks to the generous donations of more than 7,500 donors.

The community fund has worked in partnership with NCO with administrative support from Community Action Partnership Sonoma to provide $150,000 to support 100 grants from victims who have lost their homes and have urgent needs for food and housing.

They also provided 350 Lake County students, teachers, and school staff with gift cards to replenish school clothes and supplies.

Additional grants from the Redwood Credit Union Community Fund in conjunction with NCO have also gone to first responders including South Lake Fire District and Cal Fire firefighters who lost their homes while battling the blaze, and Sheriff Office staff who were serving the community while their homes burned.

“We are inspired by how many people, organizations, and groups have come together to support the needs of Lake County in the wake of these devastating fires,” said Brett Martinez, Redwood Credit Union’s president and chief executive officer. “We’re also grateful for the collaboration and partnership with NCO, Community Action Partnership Sonoma and so many others in the community who are working cooperatively together to help identify needs and provide relief to our neighbors in need.”

Often, donations are as touching as they are generous. Tuesday McAsey teaches at Oak Manor Elementary School in Ukiah and helped organized a coin drive.

She explained that 90-percent of their students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and didn’t expect the drive to take off like it did.

“We talked to the students about responsibility to the community, and we literally had kids bringing in their piggybanks,” said McAsey. “We’re so proud of them.”

When Pamela’s Products Inc. – a local business that makes gluten-free products – found out how much the students had raised, they decided to match the funds. Together they donated $8,369.

There are several fundraisers planned, including a benefit concert on Oct. 11 at the Empress Theatre in Vallejo, and a “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” dinner and concert on Oct. 25 at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds in Ukiah, with tickets available for purchase at Mendo Mill.

Even with so much generous support, there is still about $500,000 in unfunded need based on applications received so far.

“We’re so grateful for all the donations, which have been truly incredible,” said managing committee member Elva Hohn. “We’re crossing our fingers that we’re able to raise even more so that everyone who was impacted by this fire can benefit from the fund.”

“People think it’s over,” says Tri Counties Bank Middletown Branch Manager Tyler Fowler. “It’s not over. We still have a long way to go.”

To find out more about the Valley Fire Relief Fund or to donate directly, please visit www.ncoinc.org .

COBB, Calif. – In coordination with the Cobb Mountain Lions Club, the American Red Cross and Calpine Corp., there will be a free community event with food trucks, local musicians, a KaBOOM! Imagination Playground, and two jump houses on Sunday, Oct. 11.

The event will take place beginning at noon at Black Rock Golf Course, 16451 Golf Road in Cobb.
 
The following four food trucks will be providing a variety of delicious free lunch offerings for up to 1,000 residents:

· Street Fusion, offering healthy Vietnamese fusion food, lots of fresh veggies and bright flavors.
· H Butler BBQ, offering Southern-style barbecue and soul-food favorites like catfish, greens and fruit cobbler.
· Aghas Gyros, offering Middle Eastern favorites like lamb or chicken gyros, and lamb or chicken over rice.
· Fuddruckers, offering specialty hamburgers.
 
The event will feature a hootenanny of local musicians who have played together in Cobb for years. Many of them lost their homes to the Valley fire.
 
KaBOOM! Imagination playground will be set up on Sunday for local children to enjoy. It is an innovative, loose-parts, playground that engage kids in creative play that is physically challenging and collaborative, fulfilling the needs of the whole child.
 
Astrojumps, a local business who was directly affected by the fire, will be providing two jump houses: a smaller jump house for younger children and a large jump house for big kids. Calpine Corporation is sponsoring the jump houses.
 
The Valley Fire is the third most destructive fire in California state history, covering more than 76,000 acres and destroying nearly 2,000 structures, including more than 1,300 homes.

The difficult recovery from these fires makes this a frustrating and emotionally draining time for everyone involved. Red Cross mental health volunteers are available to help. Red Cross caseworkers are meeting one-on-one with people to create recovery plans, navigate paperwork and locate help from other agencies. Red Cross is distributing food and relief supplies in the impacted neighborhoods to support people as they return home.
 
The Red Cross and many community partners are working to ensure that the right resources and support are provided to those who have been affected by this disaster:

· FEMA and CalOES Disaster Recovery Center: Middletown Senior Center at 21256 Washington St. in Middletown (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays);
· FEMA and CalOES Disaster Recovery Center: Apria Healthcare in the Safeway Shopping Center at 14860 Olympic Drive in Clearlake (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays);
· Red Cross Client Assistance Center: Twin Pine Casino, 22223 CA-29, Middletown (daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Disaster assistance is available to help businesses recover from the effects of the Valley fire, which burned more than 76,000 acres in south Lake County.

The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) is partnering with several resources to provide federal disaster loans to businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.

California Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are providing a multitude of services, at no charge, to help small businesses impacted by the disaster.

Services include counseling for financial, accounting, marketing and other post-disaster challenges; management and technical assistance; business planning to help business owners re-establish their operations and plan for their future; help in reconstructing damaged and destroyed business records; assistance with updating or rewriting business plans; and assistance with accessing government contracts and procurement related to the disaster.

The Capital Region SBDC in Sacramento may be contacted at 916-319-4268; or visit www.capitalregionSBDC.com . For an appointment in your area, call or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Napa-Sonoma SBDC in Napa may be contacted at 707-256-7250; visit www.napasonomasbdc.org ; or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC), through a cooperative agreement with SBA has 15 organizations participating as VBOCs designed to provide entrepreneurial development, business training, counseling and mentoring for eligible veterans who own or are starting a small business.

The VBOC in Sacramento may be contacted at 916-527-8400; or visit www.vboicix.org .

SCORE, a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses, has experts in virtually every area of business management to mentor small businesses.

Mentors are available to help small businesses with their disaster recovery at no charge for individual and team counseling.

Services include free online disaster preparedness/recovery resources at www.score.org/disaster-preparedness-recovery ; matching volunteer business-management mentors with clients in need of expert advice; in-depth counseling and training with small business owners and managers; help to identify business problems, determine the causes and find solutions: and maintaining a confidential and personal relations.

North Coast SCORE may be contacted at 707-571-8342 or www.northcoast.score.org .

Women's Business Centers (WBCs) provide technical training and counseling to women and others who are currently in business or thinking about starting a business.

Assistance is targeted to meet specific needs whether a beginner or seasoned entrepreneur.

The following WBCs are established: California Capital, in Sacramento, 916-442-1729, www.sba.gov/women ; West Company, in Fort Bragg, 707-964-7571, www.westcompany.org ; Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, in San Francisco, 415-541-8580; Anew America WBC/Anew America Community Corporation, in Berkeley, 510-540-7785, Extension 301.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The 2015 Heroes of Health and Safety Fair will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.

The free, family-friendly event will include exciting safety demonstrations, including a “Jaws of Life” extraction, medical helicopter landings and liftoffs, free flu shots, and fire safety information and assistance for local fire victims.

Sutter Lakeside Hospital and the Lake County Fire Chief’s Association are the major sponsors for this free event.

More than 60 Lake County health- and safety-focused organizations will host booths and provide information to community members about local services ranging from disaster preparedness and electrical safety to obesity awareness. 

There will also be a focus on fire safety, with a presentation on the recent Lake County fires by local responders. 

The Local Assistance Center will provide information on resources for those affected by the wildfires.

Other highlights include free car seat safety inspections and replacements, free bike helmets, a chance to win raffle prizes including kids’ bikes, and opportunities to mingle with safety characters McGruff and Smokey the Bear.

Additional event sponsors include the California Highway Patrol, Lakeside Health Center, the American Red Cross, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake County Office of Education and The Hero Project, and Lake County Behavioral Health Services.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Disaster Recovery Center, serving as a one-stop-shop for victims of the Valley fire, has been established in the Burns Valley Shopping Mall in Clearlake.

Representatives of several agencies are on hand to connect victims with resources to assist them in their recovery from the most destructive fire event in Lake County history.

The Valley fire, which began on Sept. 12, ripped through more than 76,000 acres, displacing hundreds of families in the Cobb, Middletown and Hidden Valley Lake areas.

State and federal assistance to help rebuild those communities and the lives affected is available and accessible at the Disaster Recovery Center in Clearlake, at 14848 Olympic Drive in the former location of Apria Health Care, and at a similar site at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St.

“We are opening locations closer to the affected area to provide disaster relief funds for homeowners, renters, business owners and private nonprofits,” Susheel Kumar, public information officer of the Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance, said.

“The more locations we open closer to the affected area, the better the opportunity for folks to come in and apply for disaster relief. The idea is to gather as many service agencies under one roof as possible, from counseling assistance to legal and insurance help. It's a one-stop-shop for fire victims,” Kumar explained.

Kumar said the process begins once clients obtain an identification number through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

Under federal authority, FEMA may provide financial assistance and, if necessary, direct services to eligible individuals and households, who, as a direct result of a major disaster, have necessary expenses and serious needs and are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other means.

FEMA programs are designed to help meet essential needs and assist individuals and their households in taking the first steps toward recovery. However, programs are not intended to return all homes or belongings to their predisaster conditions.

“Registration is key,” Kumar said. “The first thing an applicant needs to do is register with FEMA because that unlocks all the assistance programs that the federal government offers.”

The Individuals and Households Program (IHP), offered through FEMA, provides money and services to people in the disaster area when losses are not covered by insurance and property has been damaged or destroyed.

Types of assistance available through IHP include:

– Temporary housing: Money is available to rent a different place to live, or a government-provided housing unit when rental properties are not available.
– Repair: Money is available to homeowners to repair damage from the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe, sanitary and functional.
– Replacement: Money is available to homeowners to replace their home destroyed in the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to help the homeowner with the cost of replacing their destroyed home.
– Permanent/semi-permanent housing construction: Direct assistance or money for the construction of a home is available. This type of help occurs only in insular areas or remote locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing assistance is possible.
– Other needs: Money is available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage, and other expenses that are authorized by law.

Money received through the IHP can only be used for eligible expenses. If money is not used as explained by FEMA, clients may not be eligible for any additional held and may have to return the money.

Assistance is typically limited to up to 18 months from the date the president declares the disaster. Money does not have to be repaid and is tax-free.

Additionally, it is not counted as income or a resource for determining eligibility for welfare, income assistance, or income-tested benefit programs funded through the federal government.

The money also is exempt from garnishment, seizure, encumbrance, levy, execution, pledge, attachment, release or waiver. It cannot be reassigned or transferred to another person.

Those receiving the monetary assistance must keep receipts or bills for three years to demonstrate how all of the money was used in meeting disaster-related needs.

IHP does not cover business-related losses or losses covered by insurance.

While some money is available through IHP, according to the “Help After a Disaster” guide, on hand at the Disaster Recovery Centers, most disaster aid from the federal government is in the form of loans from the SBA, which must be repaid.

Those who apply to IHP may be required to seek help from SBA first, before being considered for certain types of IHP assistance.

The unique identification number issued by FEMA when applicants register must be provided to apply for a loan through the SBA.

Types of loans available through the SBA include:

– Home disaster loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate or personal property owned by the victim. Renters are eligible for their personal property losses including automobiles.
– Business physical disaster loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc. are also eligible.
– Economic injury disaster loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and small businesses engaged in aquaculture; and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

Interest rates are based on whether or not each applicant can obtain credit elsewhere. Interest rates are lower for those who cannot. Kumar said funds are expedited and without administrative closing fees.

According to Kumar, after applying for an SBA loan, an inspector will come out to verify losses within about three-to-five business days. Within seven to 10 days, he said, the credit underwriting decision is rendered.

“Within 18 to 21 days, funds are usually in the disaster applicant's hand,” Kumar said. “Decisions are rendered pretty quickly as long as the information submitted is complete.”

The deadline to apply for loans to assist with physical damage is Nov. 23. The deadline for economic injury loans is June 22, 2016.

Kumar advises applicants to begin the process immediately, despite whether or not they know the full extent of their damages.

“Be aware. Sometimes after a disaster, contractors from out-of-town come in and try to take advantage of victims,” Maria Padron, FEMA public information officer, said. “Always pay with check and never pay the whole amount.”

Padron also cautions victims regarding their personal and financial information. She said applicants will be asked to provide their Social Security numbers and banking information only once – during the registration process. After registering, applicants will be asked only for their identification number.

Padron said applicants who may receive a denial letter should further their inquiry. “The eligibility letter may not be the last word on assistance,” she said. “Those people should come to a DRC location. It could mean their information is incomplete, from verifications to missing signatures. Also, there is a right to appeal.”

To begin the process and register with FEMA, applicants may call 800-621-FEMA (3362); hearing/speech impaired only, 800-462-7585; or register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov .

Disaster Recovery Center operation hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Email reporter Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake County Land Trust hosted more than 125 people at its annual dinner this year on Saturday, Oct. 3.

The event is an opportunity for Land Trust supporters to gather, socialize and honor members of the community for their contributions.

The Marymount California University Lakeside Campus in Lucerne was the setting for this year’s dinner and silent auction. Everyone enjoyed getting a chance to see this interesting and beautiful 1920s iconic building, also known as “The Castle.”

Every year the Land Trust honors its “Supporter of the Year.” This year’s honoree was Victoria Brandon.

Brandon was recognized for her contributions to the Lake County Land Trust by serving on the organization’s lands committee and for her many other contributions to the community, including her activities with the Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club, her work on the Cache Creek Watershed Forum steering committee, the Lake County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee, the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee and as a member of the Tuleyome Land Trust’s Board of Directors.

She was presented with a plaque from the Land Trust and a Congressional Certificate from Congressman Mike Thompson’s office.

Although Thompson was unable to attend the dinner, he made a point of asking his field representative Maira Ayala to attend.

Ayala related to the crowd how much Thompson appreciates Brandon’s activities in Lake County and knows how important her contributions have been.

Preceding the dinner Land Trust supporters enjoyed visiting, bidding on silent auction items, and touring the historical building that now houses Marymount University.

Social hour music was provided by Tom Nixon and Harry Lyons. Dinner was catered by Chic Le Chef of Hidden Valley Lake.

Sponsors for the event included Homestake Mining Co.; Law Offices of Dennis Fordham; Katzoff and Riggs LLP; Six Sigma Winery, John Wise and Evelyn Wachtel; Brad and Kathy Barnwell; and Roberta and Harry Lyons. Lake County Wines were served during the social hour and dinner.

Many volunteers contributed their time and effort to presenting the dinner, including students from Kelseyville High School.

“We appreciate these students and other community volunteers very much and thank them for their help,” noted Land Trust board member, Roberta Lyons. “It was also great working with Marymount’s executive director, Michele Scully, and facilities director, Leanne Harvey.”

Guest speaker was local archaeologist Dr. John Parker, who spoke about “The Saving of Anderson Marsh.” It was the story of a “whole community pulling together for a common goal,” which is the theme of what much of the Lake County Land Trust pursues.

The Lake County Land Trust is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of natural habitats and open space in Lake County.

For more information, go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org or “like,” the Land Trust’s Facebook page.