California in Flames:  News from the Field

Driving to work, I was stunned- the valley was filled with thick, heavy, red and brown smoke so thick I couldn't see the hilltops. I raced home as the radio blared terrifying descriptions of 100-foot flames tearing across the city. Our apartment manager went house to house, pounding on doors and warning residents of the mandatory evacuation. Hordes of cars rushed down our streets, fleeing while they still could. My husband and I packed frantically, grabbed our cats and drove off. We reached the base, but were turned away- it was too full. We made call after call, until at last we found a friend who could shelter us. We waited anxiously during the next few days, eyes glued to the TV, hoping for good news somewhere in the torrent of horror stories about destroyed neighborhoods. At night we tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Finally we heard that people were let back into our area. We were blessed – God watched over us, and our apartment was untouched.

Unfortunately, many people were not so lucky, and returned “home” only to sift through blackened ashes. I pray that you will help WER embrace these grieving families and assist them in building a new life.

Andrea MacLeod

Temporary fire evacuee & WER staff member

WER Assists Wildfire Relief Efforts

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Fires in Southern California rage for the eighth day in a row, sadly proving CEO Joel MacCollam's prediction of a hot, painful week correct. At this point, over the wildfires have displaced well over 500,000 people and destroyed over 490,000 acres in Southern California.

World Emergency Relief (WER) continues to assist local relief efforts for wildfire evacuees in a number of capacities.  WER provided eight large boxes of clothing, 12,000 drinks, 100 blankets and other supplies for fire victims. WER Board member Peggy Reiber, director of a local organization that is helping evacuees, is managing the supply distribution.

WER Representative Jennifer O'Leary aided wildfire victims at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos. She worked there for three days, encouraging and comforting evacuees, distributing food, bathing elderly evacuees, and assisting in other relief efforts.

WER is preparing a donation of handmade quilts, which Reiber and WER staff intend to distribute to families who lost their homes. WER also has a semi-truck full of food, blankets and relief supplies on its way. As soon as the logistics are fully worked out and proper beneficiaries are identified and verified, WER Board member Gary Becks and his local emergency response team will distribute the semi's relief supplies.

However, thousands of evacuees still need supplies like food, blankets and diapers.

Many families returned “home” only to sift through blackened ashes. WER plans on sending more relief supplies to these families, but cannot do so without additional support. I pray that you will help WER to embrace these grieving families and assist them in building a new life!

Your compassionate gift will help fire victims recover from this disaster. You can help right now by clicking on the following link: www.wer-us.org/donation.htm. Your generosity helps give these children “a living chance.”

WER Aids Wildfire Evacuees

Monday, October 22, 2007

Violent wildfires continue to tear across Southern California, even threatening WER’s global headquarters, located in Carlsbad, CA. Over 250,000 people have been evacuated, and 21,000 are without power.  200,000 acres have been destroyed. 

Rev. Joel MacCollam, WER’s CEO, expressed his concern about the grave situation; “the explosive fires transformed San Diego into a major disaster area, with growing misery.  The potential destruction of thousands of homes, business and jobs is beyond imagination.”

The evacuees and firefighters need our help.  We must act now!

World Emergency Relief (WER) rose to the challenge, and is working with WER Board member Gary Becks and his local emergency response team.  WER is preparing emergency reserves, including food, drinks and hygiene supplies, which will be distributed among the evacuees and firefighters.

WER desires to send later shipments of emergency supplies.  However, we need additional funding to assist these desperate, grieving people. 

Are you willing to help them?  Even $10 can make a difference and help us send urgently needed supplies.  You can help lives by clicking here and making a compassionate donation.

Rev. MacCollam predicts that “unless the winds break, this will be a long, hot and painful week for San Diego and the rest of Southern California.”  WER will continue to monitor the situation and give aid as needed.

WER appreciates your continued support for the disaster victims and our program!