Here are 8 ways to help those affected by the Slater Fire in Happy Camp

Local nonprofits are feeding and sheltering people who lost homes to wildfires in California. Other nonprofits are caring for their animals or helping them find pets and livestock lost during the Slater Fire.

Here eight ways can support to help those who have lost everything.

1. American Red Cross

The American Red Cross directly assists those affected by disaster and they’re currently helping Happy Camp residents in Yreka at the Kahtishraam Wellness Center, 1403 Kahtishraam, Yreka. 

While the Red Cross usually accepts donations of food and clothing, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are not accepting these items due to sanitation concerns. 

“If people really want to help, the best thing they can do is go onto the Red Cross website and donate money,” said Alan Wheelus, a volunteer from Shingletown who was helping in Yreka last week. Money gives Red Cross the ability to purchase needed items. 

The American Red Cross is working in conjunction with Siskiyou County Social Services. To donate money or to volunteer, visit American Red Cross, at https://www.redcross.org/ and click donate. 

More:'It was like Armageddon:' Happy Camp families recount escape from Slater Fire

2. Community Foundation of the North State

Based in Redding, the foundation – previously known as the Shasta Regional Community Foundation – has set up a Happy Camp Relief Fund to provide immediate, mid- and long-term support to people and charities that experienced loss in the Slater Fire. A committee made up of Happy Camp residents who lost homes and evacuees disseminate funds; they represent educational, public safety, law enforcement, Karuk tribal and business fields. Monetary donations are accepted. To learn more about the fund or donate, go to https://bit.ly/2Hc0qTl or call (530) 244-1219.

3. Siskiyou Community Food Bank

Partnering with the Siskiyou County Lions Club, the food bank is providing up to 750 meals per day for those most affected by the fires and those in need. Needed most are gift cards and monetary donations, and canned food – preferably with pop-tops. See the bank’s Facebook page for updates and needs at https://bit.ly/33B9jND. For more information or to donate, call (530) 905-1551 or go to www.siskiyoufoodbank.org. 

4. United Way of Northern California Wildfire Recovery Fund

Through it’s wildfire recovery fund, Redding-based United Way grants emergency funding to agencies helping residents affected by wildfires in Butte, Plumas and Siskiyou counties. It distributed $80,000 as of Sept. 10. “These are just the first funds that will need to go out, as we are in the early stages of this relief effort,” UWNC president Larry Olmstead said. For more information or to donate call (530) 241-7521, go to www.norcalunitedway.org/wildfire-recovery, text “norcalfire” to 91999, or mail a check to United Way of Northern California, c/o Wildfire & Disaster Fund, 2280 Benton Drive, Building B, Redding, CA 96003. 

5. Happy Camp High School Slater Fire Relief Fund

For donations specifically for the 25 Happy Camp High School  students and staff members who lost their homes in the Slater Fire, a special relief fund has been created.

Funds donated to the HCHS Slater Fire Relief Fund GoFundMe Page will be sent directly to the Happy Camp Community Center and distributed to HCHS students and staff. 

Would you rather send a check? Checks can be mailed directly to the Happy Camp Community Center (and made out to them) by putting "HCHS Fire Relief Fund" in the memo line. 

The fundraiser can be accessed at this link.

More:Into the ashes: Volunteers help pets left in Happy Camp

6. Rescue Ranch/SNIP

Rescue Ranch and Siskiyou Spay Neuter Program (better known as SNIP), both of Yreka, are two nonprofit groups assisting the animals of Happy Camp who have been displaced, injured, or evacuated by owners who have lost their homes in the fire. Animal control is coordinating animal removal and relocation, with SNIP housing cats  at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds and Rescue Ranch  caring for dogs. “At this point, we have 45 to 50 cats from the Happy Camp area,” said SNIP board president Alisa Fraser. Currently, SNIP is in need of pee pads, cat litter and monetary donations. 

Rescue Ranch is helping evacuees find their lost pets and are boarding evacuated animals. Volunteers are putting food out for lost pets in burnt areas. As of Sept. 16, the ranch has a two-week supply of pet food that will need to be replenished in October. For now, greatest needs are monetary donations and gift cards to Tractor Supply, Walmart and Valero (gas). The organization also has an Amazon.com wish list and posts needs on it's Facebook page. Call (530) 842-0829 or go to their website for more information. 

7. Go Fund Me and private fundraisers

Many people who have lost their homes in Happy Camp have set up GoFundMe campaigns for donations that will go directly to them. 

A list of such fundraisers has been compiled, although the newspaper has not verified all these private fundraisers, so use discretion when donating. 

The list can be accessed by visiting this link.

8. Local fundraisers

• On Saturday, Oct. 3, Jefferson’s Roadhouse will be holding a matching donation fundraiser. 

“We are seeking United Way’s assistance with an initial $5,000 donation to be matched by the evening’s events,” said restaurant owner Heidi Overstreet. “Our hope is to go above the United Way’s donation.” 

Tickets will be sold for the event and donations will be given to the Happy Camp Community Center Financial Assistance Program for the Slater Fire survivors. The event will include silent and live auctions,  a dessert auction, a live band and food. COVID-19 procedures will be followed. Contact Jefferson’s Roadhouse at (530) 842-9866 for more information

• Yreka Art Hops was rescueduled this year due to the COVIDE-19 pandemic. T-shirts with this year’s logo, designed by local artist Mimi Bailey, are being sold as a fundraiser for victims of the Slater Fire. The cost is $35 per shirt, with all proceeds except the cost for the shirt being donated. 

Shirts can be purchased with a check made out to Siskiyou County Arts Council, credit cards, or cash. Donations can also be made via the Yreka Art Hops Facebook page. Sizes range from M to XXL for men, and S-XL for women.

• The Wildwood Tavern and Lodge, 45200 Hwy. 96 in Seiad Valley, will be holding a benefit concert fundraiser. Food and live music, as well as a counseling tent, dog grooming, emergency supplies and information booth. All proceeds will go directly to Slater Fire victims. Contact Wildwood for further information at (530) 496-3665.

Submit a Siskiyou County charity

Is there a nonprofit or fundraiser missing from this list? Email editor@siskiyoudaily.com with the following information:

• Name of the organization

• One-sentence description what the organization is doing in fire areas

• What is needed: Monetary donations, supplies, etc.

• Website

• Contact name and phone number

• Which fire/area served