Kevin

The on-going devastating California fires continue to be in our thoughts.  Several of you have asked about collecting donations for the victims. While the city is not publicly promoting any one relief organization, we did want to provide this information for your personal use.

This list is not all inclusive, but intended to provide contacts to those organizations that have been identified as having direct access to assisting those that have been affected by this tragedy.

• The Butte County Sheriff’s Office is collecting donations for members of their staff who have lost their homes in the fire. Donations can be made here. Should you have any questions, please contact Butte County Sheriff Mounted Posse Captain, Tim Colbie at 530-624-4656.
• The Butte Schools Foundation has been set up specifically for educational purposes for schools, students, and staff. They are collecting donations through the North Valley Community Foundation.
• The California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund supports intermediate and long-term recovery efforts for major California wildfires, as well as preparedness efforts.
• The North Valley Community Foundation is a local nonprofit where donations go directly to those affected by the fires.
• The Red Cross is collecting donations by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
• The Salvation Army has information about their response and how you can help.
• United Way of Northern California has setup a relief fund to help those impacted by the Camp Fire in the Chico/Butte areas.  Please select "Camp Fire Relief" as part of your donation. Donations to the Camp Fire fund may also be made by texting BUTTEFIRE to 91999.
• United Way of Greater Los Angeles and United Way of Ventura County have setup a relief fund to help those impacted by the Hill and Woolsey fires in LA and Ventura Counties.
• This page has other organizations working to help the fire victims.

Cash and gift cards go the farthest. Actual physical items present a logistical challenge (how to get them to the distribution location, storage, etc) and many times arrive after the initial need and end up not being utilized.

Here are some things to consider before making donations.

Sadly during times of disaster, scammers often time come out including on sites like Gofund Me. Please make sure you are donating to a legitimate organizations.