CLEARLAKE >> The Wal-Mart Foundation’s California State Giving Council on Wednesday presented a $25,000 check to Habitat for Humanity Lake County to help the organization provide repairs to the homes of more than 1,300 residents who were displaced by this summer’s devastating wildfires.
The $25,000 grant was presented to Richard Birk, president of Habitat for Humanity Lake County, during a check presentation ceremony on Wednesday at the Wal-Mart store in Clearlake. The store served as an evacuation point for the community during the fire, remaining open 24 hours a day to ensure the community had access to supplies. The store also provided continuous support with donations of food, water, cots, blankets, hygiene products and other necessities.
The Clearlake Wal-Mart has also donated supplies and merchandise to multiple evacuation sites, including the Salvation Army food truck, the local senior center and Moose Lodge, and an evacuation site in Kelseyville, among others.
“We are honored to support organizations like Habitat for Humanity Lake County, which is providing critical services to area families impacted by the recent Valley fire,” said Travis Peck, store manager of the Clearlake Wal-Mart. “Through this grant and our commitment to making a difference in people’s lives, Wal-Mart is helping Lake County and the greater Clearlake community rebuild and rebound.”
Established in 2000, Habitat for Humanity Lake County completed its first home in 2002 and will complete its 19th home by the end of 2015. In addition, the organization has provided more than 175 homeowners in Lake County with health and safety related repairs as part of its Home Repair and Veteran’s Repair programs.
“The fires of 2015 presented our community with a number of unprecedented challenges, including the need to secure safe housing for the hundreds of families that were displaced,” said Birk. “This generous grant from Wal-Mart will help us repair homes which survived the fires and need to be made livable again, as well as build homes for those unable to rebuild or were displaced renters. We’re so thankful for these funds which will make a direct and lasting impact on the lives of so many in our area.”
To be considered for support from the Wal-Mart Foundation, perspective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Wal-Mart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application. Applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum eligibility criteria.
Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.
