Fire assistance

Hey folks

Some of you may know, and for those that don’t, we had another TW member lose their home and belongings, including the Tacoma, to a wildfire yesterday.

Last summer I went through the same thing. The overwhelming generosity we received from TW at that time was amazing!

I am again paying it forward and coordinating fundraising efforts to get gift cards for our TW family.

Please use my PayPal to make your donation and I will see that it gets to @Whitebutler soon.

If you would like to send your old gift cards that still have a balance on them to me to forward, message me for a mailing address. Also, any Bed Bath Beyond coupons, I’ll take those too!

Merritt.wj@gmail.com

 

I’ll toss a bit of dosh your way this evening.

Thank you again for stepping up.

 

For those who want to try and do a supply caravan. If you are looking to take supplies to donate to the community at large, my wife is finding some great bulk items on Amazon... I hadn't even thought of Amazon for that, till she started sending me links to the items.

Examples:
Check this out at Amazon.com
KindMind Basic Hygiene Kits (24 Pack)

Kind Mind Travel Size Hygiene and Toiletry Kit Bulk Pack 24 Kits| Soap | Shampoo | Toothbrush| Toothpaste

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F1BVHWV/ref=cm_sw_r_other_taa_JMX5Bb9NH53WA

Check this out at Amazon.com
Fresh Twin Blade Razor Disposable Shaver Bulk 100 pieces for Men and Women

$32 Fresh Stainless Steel Twin Blades Disposable Razors Bulk Pack 100EA Shavers for All

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072KDTJWQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_taa_N0X5Bb31PBD8W

Check this out at Amazon.com
Amazon Elements Baby Wipes, Unscented, 480 Count, Flip-Top Packs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M4M314Y/ref=cm_sw_r_other_taa_CWX5BbXGWRZYE

Check this out at Amazon.com
BERGMAN KELLY Soap Bars, Shampoo and Conditioner 3-Piece Travel Amenities Hotel Toiletries In Bulk Guest Size Bottles and Bars (Hotel Size 1 Oz, 50 Pack)

$40 BERGMAN KELLY Rectangular Hotel Soap Bars, Shampoo & Conditioner 3-Piece Set (1 oz each, 150 pc, White Tea), Delight Guests with Revitalizing & Refreshing Mini Travel Toiletries & Bulk Amenities

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072HCTLS2/ref=cm_sw_r_other_taa_GSX5BbRD49ZC0

 

Sub'd and In.

 

I want to remind everyone that the red cross does a lot with these situations. My experience with the fires in Sonoma county last year was that the red cross was over run with donations of "stuff". Please check in with each shelter before you bring in something. Donating money to a trustworthy entity is the best way to go.

Ps. My house is open to any families in need. I am located in santa rosa. PM me if you need help!

 

Red Cross is not an organization I would deem "trustworthy."

Just got off the phone with a friend in the Camp Fire area. Red Cross is already starting to act like assholes... just like they always do.

 

There are many organizations that support fire victims directly with donations that people can use daily. Like kid supplies and family items.

Then you have people like Cuffs who is on her second round of helping TW members.

Several friends organize relief supplies for livestock. These are things not generally available thru the regular channels. Definitely needed.

Thank goodness for those volunteers.

And while the Red Cross does help, often it cannot do it all.

 

I absolutely reject the Red Cross and the entire train of thought that money donations are better than food, supply, clothing donations.

That is a bullshit line pushed by the "charity" organizations (like the Red Cross) that don't want the "stuff" because they want your money. They don't even try to have an effective way of distributing donations because they don't even want them... unless it's your cash.

91% of donations to RC goes to disasters... yes. But the part they don't tell you is that 91% they say they spend is spent through sub contractors... just look up some of the ways ARC has shit the bed over the years... including their half billion dollars spent on corrupt bullshit in the Haiti earthquake debacle. Or look how they "helped" with Katrina.

At the end of the day... here's my impression of Red Cross. Many members of my family found themselves flooded by rising water of the Mississippi. The Red Cross showed up with their typical bullshit. They were running other charities out, they were mismanaging the situation... and by the time it was said and done, they were SELLING people coffee and donuts while they were trying to fill sandbags through another charity (that was actually helping people)

I give a resounding FUCK YOU to the Red Cross.

 

They will also take you blood donation and then gladly sell it to you if you need it.

 

Fantastic!

 

I am not a huge fan of RC either. However when the fire hit us 18 months ago, they were the only group with boots on the ground and decent resources for us.

 

If you want to help out in the longer run, Team Rubicon is already mobilizing.

It’s a Veteran based volunteer org that goes in after the fact and helps with clean up

They will take your money and put it to great use beyond any other organization

 

Please don't send shitty razors. I know people mean well, but have any of you used a bargain bin razor?

 

I get that... And I am absolutely not trying to stand in people's way, to try and help.

But a friend mine has already been trying to coordinate with supplies from Gridley and the Red Cross is already trying to push on other charitys and they are already doing their typical nonsense of not wanting to accept anything but cash donations.

Sorry, in a situation like this one, "charities" should not be refusing any type of donation or offer to help.

Ryan is telling me, that he will keep me informed of the changes in the situation. But his group is finding that the local churches and the groups running the livestock shelter at the Butte County fairgrounds are much better organized and equipped to help than the Red Cross seems to be.

 

I am 100% in on this... Can you please provide contact info. I have heard about them and had thought about looking them up. I guess this is as good of a time to get in contact with them, get off my ass, and help, as any time.

 

About to sign off to fly home. I’ll message you that Tomorrow !!

 

Thank you!
Safe trip

 

Sent some money via PayPal thank you for helping out

 

Please keep the flames on the fire line.

 

I'm not a fan of RC at all.

I'm going to rely on @Cuffs for discretion on where to donate and I'll be in full tilt.

Just did a Team Rubicon search and donated:

https://teamrubiconusa.org/