We received a grant from Global Giving and used those funds to assemble and distribute 175 WINTER PREPAREDNESS KITS, 25 CAMPING KITS, and 75 TARP KITS.
There are many survivors still living in substandard conditions and we aimed to use the Global Giving grant funds to reach those in the most need of help. The TARP KITS were especially important for the survivors living in leaking RVs, trailers, and sheds. We ordered 16x20 heavy duty tarps and high quality tarp clips, as well as strong rope. We also assembled 25 CAMPING KITS that addressed the needs of survivors who are still camping. These survivors received a Winter Prep Kit as well.
We connected with Valerie Elizabeth who is running the Community Resource Coalition in Paradise, CA.
She has a large database of vetted survivors and she keeps track of their current needs. She works one-on-one with survivors every day and we felt comfortable that she would be able to assess which survivors would be the best matches for our kits.
We organized a giveaway day at the CRC, which included our kits as well as food, clothes, books, and household items that the CRC had on hand. We also received an additional grant from United Way that allowed us to purchase $20 gas/propane cards to include in each Winter Prep Kit.
We invited survivors to attend the giveaway and Valerie spoke with each one-on-one before determining which items they would receive. It was a long day, but a successful one. We had a few items left over after the giveaway day so Valerie and her volunteers took come items up to Lovelock, which is an isolated area where about 28 families are living in very poor conditions. They do not have the resources or transportation to make giveaway events, so Valerie took items up to them for distribution. She also helped set up tarps for those who needed them.
Overall this was a very successful project that was able to reach over 225 families, and over 560 survivors. There is still a tremendous need for all these items and many survivors were disappointed that they were not able to receive a kit or tarps.
Our Winter Prep Kit Included:
AA Batteries
$20 Gas Card
Dark colored winter beanie (unisex)
Dark colored winter gloves (unisex)
Warm socks (unisex)
Dark colored winter scarf (unisex)
Chapstick
Hot Hands
Cough drops
LED Flashlight
Insulated grocery bags
Single use ice packs
$10 Roll of quarters for laundry
Our Camping Kit Included:
Emergency blanket
Disaster blanket
Solar external power pack
Back pack
Toiletry kit
AA Batteries
Entire “Winter Preparedness Kit”
Cold weather sleeping bag, rated for 30 below
Hot hands: hand warmers(10 packs)
Hot hands: toe warmers (5 packs)
Camping Lantern
Solar Lights
Large blue IKEA reusable zippered totebag
Winter Socks
20oz Thermos
Our Tarp Kit Included:
16x20 Heavy Duty Tarp
Tarp clips
Heavy Duty Rope
Here are some pictures of our event: