Lake County AmeriCorps members continue to provide assistance with Valley Fire relief efforts. AmeriCorps members have served evacuees by sorting clothing and serving food at evacuation centers. They’ve assisted repopulation efforts in the communities of Middletown, Hidden Valley Lake and Cobb by organizing and maintaining Point of Distribution Centers (PODS). AmeriCorps members have entered the disaster zones and provided supplies like shovels, water and gloves to evacuees returning home. The AmeriCorps team offers moral support, care and encouragement to all people and their animals.
AmeriCorps members have served a collective of 308 hours between 10 members. Furthermore, existing members recruited seven extra volunteers who served an additional 120 hours.
AmeriCorps is a national service program which provides volunteers an opportunity to serve their community while receiving a living allowance. The Lake County AmeriCorps program engages members in direct service by focusing on community needs. The program focuses on academic support, assisting after school programs, oral health education, volunteerism, and more.
As Emergency Service Workers the AmeriCorps team is expected to respond during times of emergency. AmeriCorps Coordinator Gilbert Rangel said, “Even in the midst of the devastating aftermath of the fire, I was uplifted by our community. AmeriCorps members were eager to help, their efforts were gratefully received by the community, and a strong sense of kinship was built. Whether at a shelter or out in the affected areas handing out supplies and kits, you could tell people’s spirits were uplifted when approached by an AmeriCorps member.”
In response to the Valley Fire, Rangel is considering the development of a new initiative focused on disaster preparation, response, mitigation and recovery. “The Valley Fire has proven that there’s a real need in Lake County to better educate our community about disaster prevention and recovery,” Rangel said. “Through prevention efforts we can hopefully reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters, once they happen. As emergency service workers AmeriCorps members are expected to respond during disasters but we believe we can do better than just that. Through prevention education we can lessen the impact of disasters when they happen.”
AmeriCorps members are volunteers with purpose. For more information about the AmeriCorps program call 707-263-8795.
Photo Caption: AmeriCorps members assisting with Valley Fire relief efforts
