North Coast Opportunities (NCO) and MendoLake Credit Union (MLCU) have teamed up to create a Fire Relief Fund for those impacted by the Rocky and Jerusalem fires this summer. Because people’s lives and livelihoods are at stake, NCO and MCLU have moved quickly to assemble the managing committee and make fire relief applications available to the public.
The five-person managing committee in charge of reviewing applications and disbursing funds was finalized on Tuesday. It consists of MLCU Director of Marketing and Community Outreach Jamey Gill, NCO Chief Financial Officer Carolyn Welch and three community members: Elva Hohn, a Lakeport resident, retired teacher and enthusiastic volunteer with various organizations; and another person who had not yet been notified by press time. The committee will meet to review the first applications next week.
Anyone impacted by the fires is encouraged to fill out the short application for funding. These monies are intended to help with expenses like smoke damage, loss of personal property and other expenditures incurred during or after the fire. Applications are available in English and Spanish on the NCO and MLCU websites. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a continual basis until the funds have all been disbursed.
More than $30,000 has been raised, and money is still being accepted with several fundraisers being planned by various individuals and organizations. To donate, simply go to any MLCU branch and make a cash donation or write a check to NCO or Rocky Fire.
Savings Bank of Mendocino County recently contributed $2,500 in order to further support the Lake County community.
“We are proud to be a part of a community that takes care of each other in hard times”, savings bank Lakeport branch manager Susie Robinson said.
Savings bank employees are also showing their support by rallying together through an internal donation drive with a match of up to $500 from the bank. MLCU employees are doing a similar internal donation drive, also with a $500 match from MLCU President Richard Cooper.
For more information on how to apply for funds in English or Spanish, contact NCO Executive Assistant Elizabeth Archer: earcher@ncoinc.org, (707) 467-3210.
