Hope: Our Most Powerful Asset
The wildfires of Oregon are a scary and tragic new addition to the stresses we are all experiencing this year. So what can we do to stay grounded and hopeful when disaster strikes our communities?
It turns out that one of the best things we can do for ourselves is to help others. When we engage in helping, we remember that we can make a difference, even in situations where we feel powerless. We remember that we have survived hard things before and that we will do so again. Individually and as a community, we are resilient. This doesn’t diminish our losses, but when we see our communities come together despite our differences for the common goal of caring for each other, we access hope. And hope is our most powerful asset when confronting personal and community struggle and loss.
The recent outpouring of support for fire evacuees has been nothing short of astounding. People are opening their homes to strangers. Evacuation sites and temporary shelters are inundated with donations of food, clothing, toys, and household goods. Animals are being rescued and reunited with their families. We continue to see images of the heroic courage and dedication of our firefighters.
So what can you do? Try these suggestions for helping, in whatever way you can.
Volunteer: Evacuation sites especially need overnight and early morning volunteers.
Make and deliver a meal: It’s easy to get caught up and forget to stop, check in, and eat some good food. Having it accessible helps. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcEfd0FFjTKtS4TAZwDes6gIiLjGATRPnHCz_HsEA0WhDdYw/viewform
Connect: Call your friends and check in. Share tips for dealing with smoke or offer a listening ear.
Donate: Check the resources below for places to donate money or goods to help people who’ve lost their homes.
Above all, stay connected to your community and notice all the ways we come together and take care of each other.
Additional Wildfire Resources
American Red Cross Wildfire Relief – Donate
https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/
American Red Cross Wildfire Relief – Volunteer
https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html
GoFundMe – centralized hub with a list of all verified fundraisers started to help those who’ve lost businesses and homes
https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/oregon-fires
Keep Oregon Green – donations provide education and awareness about wildfires
https://keeporegongreen.org/contribute/
United Way Relief Funds – Lane County
http://www.unitedwaylane.org/wildfires
United Way Relief Funds – Mid-Willamette Valley
https://www.unitedwaymwv.org/santiam-canyon-long-term-recovery.html
Wildland Firefighter Foundation – provide financial support to families of those who died or were injured in the line of the of duty while fighting wildland fires
The Oregon Business Council, the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce and Oregon Business & Industry are joining together to raise funds to support Oregonians who have been displaced by this tragedy. We will work with local chambers in the impacted areas to determine where funds can be used to have the greatest community impact.
https://obiref.revv.co/wildfire
Lane County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) – donations and volunteering