Lake County >> They respond almost as quickly as emergency personnel, that is, scammers ready to take advantage people who want to help those feeling most helpless after disaster strikes.
Less than 24 hours after the Valley Fire broke out, reports already began of fake Gofundme, PayPal or similar accounts started by scammers looking to pocket money donors thought would help fire victims.
That’s why fire officials remind people that the best way to make monetary donations is through official entities such as the American Red Cross. Visit redcross.org to donate.
“With the sudden impact of the Valley Fire, the Rocky/Jerusalem Fire Relief Fund has been officially renamed the Lake County Wildfire Relief Fund,” Elizabeth Archer, North Coast Opportunities (NCO) executive assistant said. “Donations have been coming in all day – this community is once again rallying around its own.”
Mendo-Lake Credit Union is accepting financial donations on behalf of NCO. Check payments should be made out to Mendo-Lake Credit Union or North Coast Opportunities with a memo for Valley Fire and dropped off or mailed to the following branch locations: 14866 Olympic Drive in Clearlake, CA 95422; 953 11th Street in Lakeport, CA 95453 or 526 S State Street in Ukiah, CA 94582.
People may also make donations online. The Lake County Local Assistance Center (LAC) website, http://www.lakecountylac.com/, also has a link to donate to the Lake County Wildfire Relief fund. All money donated to the fund will go toward helping those affected by the fires.
For those who want to donate items, the United Methodist Church (UMC) of Clearlake is an option. The church is in need of clothing, blankets, personal hygiene items, canned or packaged food and pet food. It will be open today through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. UMC is located at 14521 Pearl Avenue, in Clearlake. Pastor Cindy Lawler can be reached at 408-821-2443.
Congressman Mike Thompson has also mentioned that Alternative Roofing Solutions in Santa Rosa is collecting items to help families in Lake County .
The business will be accepting items to be taken to displaced families now until Wednesday. Anyone who want to donate items can take them to 3327 McMaude Place in Santa Rosa. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., but people can leave the items outside beginning 7 a.m. today.
More valid, charitable organizations may pop up in the coming days ready to take donations, these are just a few to which people may donate with peace of mind knowing that the money or items will be put to good use.
