California veterans mobilize for Dixie Fire support

As fires rage in the north of California, an outpouring of support for its survivors continues. Shortly after Indian Valley Post 568 reported its building had been destroyed in the Dixie Fire, The American Legion’s Department of California rallied to support.

“We know that our post in Greenville was destroyed by fire, but more importantly the community of Greenville was destroyed,” said Department Commander Autrey James. “Members and non-members lost homes, veterans and non-veterans lost homes. We had to follow through on our mission to help veterans, families and our communities, so for me it was just matter of ‘how can we help?’”

If you would like more information on how to donate to support the survivors of the Dixie Fire, visit https://calegion.org/fire-relief-fund/

The Dixie Fire is currently the largest active fire in the country and the second largest in California’s history, with the blaze having devastated more than 635,000 acres of land and an estimated 630 homes, according to Cal Fire.

After hearing about how the Dixie Fire “hit closer to home” with the destruction of an American Legion post, James put out a call to arms and leadership from across the state began collecting donations in the form of gift cards and goods.

In a matter of days, U-Haul trucks across the state were rented and loaded with supplies. In addition to local staging sites across the state, Santa Monica was one of the major hubs from which trucks were deployed.

While loading one of the trucks in Santa Monica on Monday, Los Angeles County Council Commander Jere Romano was asked by a passerby where he was going with all the camping gear. He explained it was for the victims of the Dixie Fire and the man followed up with “why?”

“I told him we can’t depend on the government for everything,” Romano said. “Sometimes volunteers have to close the gap between what the government provides and what the community needs, especially in the ‘right now’ moment. Donations such as these help the recovery effort to remind those impacted by the disaster that they are not alone. There are others who care and support enough to bring these items to them as a morale booster to help in the psychological process of dealing with the emergency.”

Related: HOW TO HELP DIXIE FIRE SURVIVORS

“I can tell you that we provided nearly $5,000 in Visa gift cards so people can buy things they need,” said James. “We provided two 10-foot U-Haul trucks, a pick-up truck and an SUV full of blankets, sleeping bags, tents, and 100 cots, tarps, ice chests and personal hygiene items.”

Another 26-foot truck full of camp stoves and fuel will be heading up north this week, in addition to another truck full of supplies from Fortuna, James said.

“Money is still coming into the Department from all over the state and the nation in support of fire victims,” James said.

The supplies were ultimately caravanned up to Elks Lodge #1884 in Quincy to be stored and disbursed.

“What Autrey and his crew accomplished is something memorable to the Dixie/Beckwourth Fire victims here in Plumas County and possible neighboring Lassen County, depending on the Dixie Fire expansion,” said Bill Cook, a Plumas County veteran service officer. “On 2-3 day notice the Legion arrived here … with items in need by the fire victims.”