Lakeport >> In spite of the Valley Fire, the Big Valley Grange concert to benefit fire victims is still on for this Saturday. The organizers didn’t really even consider canceling it. “Now we think it’s more important that ever to start putting some money into that fund,” said Roberta Actor, President of the Big Valley Grange. “It’s just overwhelming to think about the number of people that are going to need some help.”
The fund is the Lake County Wildfire Relief Fund set up through Mendo-Lake Credit Union — people can donate to them instead of giving money to unreliable sources — and North Coast Opportunities (NCO), who will allocate 100% of the funds for fire victims. All money raised at the concert will be donated there.
The concert organizers began preparations for the event over a month ago. They set it up as a way to show appreciation for the emergency personnel who tackled the Rocky and Jerusalem fires and to provide assistance for the people affected by those two blazes. Now, the number of fire victims has dramatically increased. “This originally was planed as a thank you and we kind of thought that the worst was over,” said Actor. “Life is full of surprises. We didn’t think when we were planning this that we would be facing an even more catastrophic fire in just a few days.”
The Grange already had the event set up and ready to go, with the bands booked, auction items donated and details hammered out. Rescheduling wouldn’t have just been difficult, but also unnecessary. If anything, Actor anticipates that the Valley fire will mean a larger turnout, not a smaller one. “All that’s changed I think is we’re probably going to have an even bigger crowd,” she said. “I just think we’re going to have more people showing up to make a donation and bid in the auction.”
And with the recent reopening of Hwy 29 from Lower Lake to Kelseyville, which was a concern for the event organizers, many of those unaffected by the fires can now make it over to Lakeport. Actor believes everyone is looking to help in any way they can. “A lot of us are going to just give whatever we can, just give ‘till it hurts,” she said. “It’s a big percentage of our population that’s been left — I wouldn’t say destitute — but they’ve taken a huge huge emotional and financial hit. There are very few things that compare to losing your home and everything in it.”
While the event will certainly focus on those impacted by any of the three fires, there will still be thanks given to all the emergency personnel who have risked their lives to keep residents safe. Joel Moore, an event promoter in Clearlake, had plaques of appreciation made for Cal Fire, Lake County Fire Protection District and PG&E. They’re crafted from cherry wood and brass with the inscription, “The citizens of Lake County thank you.” Representatives from the three organizations plan to be at the concert, where Moore will hand over the plaques. “They came out really nice,” he said. “I can’t wait to present them to those guys.”
Although the concert is free of charge, money will be raised through food sales, a live auction and flat-out donations. Numerous businesses have donated auction items and since the Valley fire broke out, even more have called up with additional donations. There’s a night stay at the Featherbed Railroad, a one night stay, free dinner and $50 worth of free play at Twin Pines Casino, a golf certificate from Buckingham golf course, a gift certificate for Riviera Hills Restaurant and a cheesecake baked by Moore’s wife. These a just a few of the many items up for auction.
Blues band 62 Blues and rock and roll/blues/R&B group the Jody Counter Band will perform for the event, with a guest performance by Arizona and the Volunteers. Each band has donated their time for the evening. “I’m community-minded as the rest of the band is also,” said 62 Blues lead singer Pat Gleeson. “It’s a tragedy but it’s still a good feeling to see the community come together. We’re proud and happy to do what we can for our community and to take care of our communities.”
The bands are also getting in on the auction action. Jody Counter is donating a few bottles of wine and he and Gleeson are putting a guitar up for auction. “We don’t have a lot but we’re throwing in what we have,” Counter said.
Though it wasn’t the original plan, Saturday’s concert is now set to be the first of many to come. Fundraising events are “definitely going to be an ongoing thing for the grange. I see up the road, probably special scholarship funds for kids whose educations are being interrupted,” Actor said. “The people that have been displaced, they’re going to need our help for a long time.”
And benefit concerts aren’t just limited to the Big Valley Grange or even Lake County. Counter and Moore are in talks with people in Napa and Sonoma counties to hold an even bigger fundraising event, possibly next month, with entertainment from prominent music names. Moore said they’re looking to get maybe Carlos Santana or Huey Lewis. “That one would be a big deal if we can get those guys,” Moore said.
For Counter, a Clearlake resident, music is his biggest mode of contribution. “I see them [evacuees] in tents in the Wal-Mart parking lot and it just kills me,” he said. “We’re all going to do what we can do. I don’t have that much to offer other than my services so that’s what I’m doing.”
Despite the reason for the event, the concert is still sure to be a good one. It will also be heartwarming to see the community come together in a show of support. “I’d love for it to be just a wonderful, big community gathering for us to just really enjoy the evening and enjoy the great music and be generous to the people in our county who’ve lost their homes,” Actor said.
Counter echoed the sentiment. “It’s going to be some great music, we’re going to have some fun in spite of it all and it’s for a great cause,” he said.
The Big Valley Grange is located at 1510 Big Valley Rd. The event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday evening.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
