The worst wildfires in San Diego's history recently blazed across the county, sparking the community to come together to help those affected by the fires.
Some donated their time, others provided shelter for evacuees and many have donated money. Since the fires first started, numerous people, businesses and organizations have reached out to help those in need.
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce has many members that have contributed to the relief and recovery efforts. The chamber would like to thank those members, as well as the volunteers, firefighters and other emergency workers who courageously provided assistance during Firestorm 2007.
SportClips, a nationwide chain of 500 stores that provide haircuts in a fun sports environment, helped evacuees get back to everyday life by offering free MVP treatments. The San Diego stores had more than 70 people come in for the free treatment, which includes a haircut, massaging shampoo, steam towel and neck massage.
Invitrogen, a biotech company based in Carlsbad, established a Biotech Fire Relief Recovery Fund through the San Diego Foundation. The company donated $50,000 to the fund and has pledged to match employee contributions to the fund up to an additional $50,000. Contributions to the fund have come in from across the nation and total approximately $500,000.
The Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad raised $300 in donations last month during the school's evening of comedy to support the North County Times Fire Relief Campaign. The McCormick Tribune Foundation matched half of the donation.
Study Depot Learning Center, a Carlsbad-based company that helps students succeed in school, collected cozy items, such as sweaters, blankets and pajamas, last month for fire victims in the San Diego region.
The Audiss Group/Sandler Sales Institute of Carlsbad is donating $50,000 in grants for sales training services to aid in the rebuilding process for small business owners and professionals whose homes were lost.
Carlsbad High School became an evacuation center for hundreds of people, and many of their pets, for four days during the peak of the October fires. Local restaurants donated food, Time Warner Cable set up TVs at the school and individuals donated enough supplies to seemingly stock a small town, all of which was organized and distributed by volunteers who often outnumbered evacuees.
Henry's Farmers Market stores, including the one located at 3243 Camino de Los Coches in Carlsbad, are collecting nonperishable food items through the end of this month to benefit Father Joe's Villages and its fire relief program.
Barratt American, a Carlsbad-based homebuilder, formed a task force to help displaced residents rebuild their homes and their lives. For those needing to rebuild, Barratt is offering architectural packages, an expedited construction timeline and seasoned counselors who will walk homeowners through the entire process and answer all questions.
Joey's Smokin' BBQ restaurants in La Costa and Carmel Valley donated 50 percent of their total sales Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 to the American Red Cross, which used the money to open shelters and provide food to people affected by the fires.
California Bank & Trust donated $150,000 to various relief efforts in the county. The bank also is accepting donations to the United Way of San Diego County at all of its branch offices throughout the state.
Vigilucci's restaurants donated 20 percent of all of their Nov. 8 food and beverage sales to the San Diego Foundation's After-the-Fires Fund.
Comerica Bank gave $100,000 to relief efforts for victims of the fires. The bank also is taking steps to aid small businesses and people who were forced to evacuate their homes.
LEGOLAND California is offering a complimentary day at the Carlsbad theme park through Dec. 24 to emergency workers who battled the devastating fires.
The Total Dog Spa in Oceanside let evacuated dog owners house their canines at the facility and also provided shelter for a Fallbrook resident.
La Costa Resort & Spa relaxed its no-pet policy when the fires were at their worst and allowed paying guests who were evacuees to keep their pets in their rooms. The resort also provided free rooms to its employees who were forced to evacuate.
Costco in Poway donated supplies to emergency shelters that were housing evacuees.
Bank of America established an assistance plan that allows customers to receive emergency credit increases on existing credit cards, defer or extend loan payments and purchase a new home through the bank without loan fees.
Wells Fargo contributed $500,000; half of the money went to local chapters of the American Red Cross and the other half was given to local agencies to assist with relief and rebuilding efforts. The company also is offering emergency unsecured loans up to $25,000 for those who lost their homes in the fires.
AT&T offered more than 2,000 wireless GoPhones to fire evacuees so they would have a means of contacting loved ones while they were without phone services.
To make a donation to the San Diego Foundationfs After-the-Fires Fund, call (619) 235-2300 or visit www.sdfoundation.org
Some donated their time, others provided shelter for evacuees and many have donated money. Since the fires first started, numerous people, businesses and organizations have reached out to help those in need.
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce has many members that have contributed to the relief and recovery efforts. The chamber would like to thank those members, as well as the volunteers, firefighters and other emergency workers who courageously provided assistance during Firestorm 2007.
SportClips, a nationwide chain of 500 stores that provide haircuts in a fun sports environment, helped evacuees get back to everyday life by offering free MVP treatments. The San Diego stores had more than 70 people come in for the free treatment, which includes a haircut, massaging shampoo, steam towel and neck massage.
Invitrogen, a biotech company based in Carlsbad, established a Biotech Fire Relief Recovery Fund through the San Diego Foundation. The company donated $50,000 to the fund and has pledged to match employee contributions to the fund up to an additional $50,000. Contributions to the fund have come in from across the nation and total approximately $500,000.
The Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad raised $300 in donations last month during the school's evening of comedy to support the North County Times Fire Relief Campaign. The McCormick Tribune Foundation matched half of the donation.
Study Depot Learning Center, a Carlsbad-based company that helps students succeed in school, collected cozy items, such as sweaters, blankets and pajamas, last month for fire victims in the San Diego region.
The Audiss Group/Sandler Sales Institute of Carlsbad is donating $50,000 in grants for sales training services to aid in the rebuilding process for small business owners and professionals whose homes were lost.
Carlsbad High School became an evacuation center for hundreds of people, and many of their pets, for four days during the peak of the October fires. Local restaurants donated food, Time Warner Cable set up TVs at the school and individuals donated enough supplies to seemingly stock a small town, all of which was organized and distributed by volunteers who often outnumbered evacuees.
Henry's Farmers Market stores, including the one located at 3243 Camino de Los Coches in Carlsbad, are collecting nonperishable food items through the end of this month to benefit Father Joe's Villages and its fire relief program.
Barratt American, a Carlsbad-based homebuilder, formed a task force to help displaced residents rebuild their homes and their lives. For those needing to rebuild, Barratt is offering architectural packages, an expedited construction timeline and seasoned counselors who will walk homeowners through the entire process and answer all questions.
Joey's Smokin' BBQ restaurants in La Costa and Carmel Valley donated 50 percent of their total sales Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 to the American Red Cross, which used the money to open shelters and provide food to people affected by the fires.
California Bank & Trust donated $150,000 to various relief efforts in the county. The bank also is accepting donations to the United Way of San Diego County at all of its branch offices throughout the state.
Vigilucci's restaurants donated 20 percent of all of their Nov. 8 food and beverage sales to the San Diego Foundation's After-the-Fires Fund.
Comerica Bank gave $100,000 to relief efforts for victims of the fires. The bank also is taking steps to aid small businesses and people who were forced to evacuate their homes.
LEGOLAND California is offering a complimentary day at the Carlsbad theme park through Dec. 24 to emergency workers who battled the devastating fires.
The Total Dog Spa in Oceanside let evacuated dog owners house their canines at the facility and also provided shelter for a Fallbrook resident.
La Costa Resort & Spa relaxed its no-pet policy when the fires were at their worst and allowed paying guests who were evacuees to keep their pets in their rooms. The resort also provided free rooms to its employees who were forced to evacuate.
Costco in Poway donated supplies to emergency shelters that were housing evacuees.
Bank of America established an assistance plan that allows customers to receive emergency credit increases on existing credit cards, defer or extend loan payments and purchase a new home through the bank without loan fees.
Wells Fargo contributed $500,000; half of the money went to local chapters of the American Red Cross and the other half was given to local agencies to assist with relief and rebuilding efforts. The company also is offering emergency unsecured loans up to $25,000 for those who lost their homes in the fires.
AT&T offered more than 2,000 wireless GoPhones to fire evacuees so they would have a means of contacting loved ones while they were without phone services.
To make a donation to the San Diego Foundationfs After-the-Fires Fund, call (619) 235-2300 or visit www.sdfoundation.org