MIDDLETOWN >> If there is anyone who doubts that Valley Fire survivors are ready to start the healing process, they were probably not at the Christmas in October event Saturday.
Hundreds of children and teens formed a line that stretched around Hardesters in downtown Middletown where a non-profit group from Humboldt County gave away toys, clothing and gift cards, all donated by local individuals and businesses.
One of those who benefited from the event was Jason Rider, 12, of Hidden Valley Lake, who came with his mother and two brothers. Jason received a $10 Amazon.com gift card.
“I think this is great for the people who lost everything and for the kids who don’t have anything to play with,” he said.
Jason said he and his family had to evacuate during the fire but their house was not damaged.
Event organizers emphasized that the toy giveaway was open to all children and teens in Hidden Valley Lake, Cobb and Middletown, not just those who lost their homes. Many of the children came to get a toy after getting a free bicycle at an event a few blocks away.
Chrystal Taylor of Hidden Valley Lake brought her two children, Hailey, 7, and Chase, 5, to the toy giveaway “…because I wanted to give the kids a smile,” she said. “This event is really important in healing the community and bringing everyone together. Everyone who is here is here to support everyone else.”
She added, with a bit of hesitancy, “It’s good that people talk about it (the Valley Fire) but it’s so tragic that I almost don’t want to hear about it any more.”
Hailey Taylor wasn’t talking about the fire, only the selection of toys she had to choose from Saturday afternoon. She said she came to the event “…just looking for any toy I like.” She settled on a Barbie Jeep while her brother, Chase, selected a Thomas the Train set.
Organizers of the toy giveaway said they hoped the event would be a distraction from the fire for local youth. Many parents attending the giveaway agreed.
“It’s good to get the kids’ minds off the fire and back to all the things that are good,” said Deanna Gambogi of Middletown, who came with her daughter, Hailey, 11. “I think it’s a really nice event.”
Hidden Valley Lake resident Patricia Larkins said she was worried that many families who lost their houses in the fire won’t have money to celebrate the holidays or buy Christmas gifts.
“I think it’s great that so many businesses contributed toys for all the kids that lost everything in the fire,” she said.
Larkins said she heard about the Christmas in October event through a flyer her daughter brought home from Coyote Elementary School in Middletown.
The toy and clothing giveaway was put on by Pay It Forward Humboldt, which organized it in two weeks, said group leaders Desirae Hadley and Shannan O’Neal. The organization formed early this summer after lightening strikes started dozens of wildland fires in Humboldt County.
Among the many donations the event received was $1,000 in gift cards from Pauline Brown, owner of Cal-Tech Pump and Well in Hidden Valley Lake. The cards were given to teens.
“My heart is so heavy,” Brown said Saturday at the event. “But I get more out of this than the kids do. I believe in paying it forward.”
