Group helping camp fire survivors now living on the Central Coast

UPDATE 12/17/18 7:20 p.m. Dozens of camp fire survivors are now living here on the Central Coast. While they try to rebuild their lives from the ground up, residents here are making sure they don’t have to do it alone.

A facebook page was created to help connect the survivors in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties with anything they still need.

Many of them still living out of hotels, or friends houses; looking for permanent homes.

One organizer with the group, Debra Feldstein says, “there are 23 survivors in Santa Cruz and 8 living in the Salinas/Monterey area. They range in age from 10 weeks old to mid-80’s. There are families and single seniors all in need of support.”

On Monday another group member offered her home for survivors to come and get their hair cut or colored by Cynthia Hilberath.

Survivor Lisa Parr says it’s something in the past she would have taken for granted.

Parr says this group now helping those who have lost everything are angles walking on earth, “they don’t make you feel like it’s extravagant or pushy or anything else, but it is amazing how many things in my life I’ve taken for granted. In the middle of all of the rest of the good or bad things that have gone on, I feel like a human being.”

The group is now looking for more businesses, landlords and other locals who want to help.

Permanent housing is the number one thing victims here are having a hard time finding. They say landlords often frown upon those using FEMA or section 8, but they have no choice.

Aside from permanent housing, other things that are needed: Three local survivors need tools so that they can return to work as a handyman, contractor, and hair stylist. Funds to start their lives over. Gift cards to local stores – Macy’s, Target, Marshall’s, Safeway, Whole Foods. Donations from local businesses, restaurants, services. Counseling support for trauma survivors of all ages.

If you want to join the facebook page to find out how you can help, click here.

A message from the volunteers to the local businesses and residents who have helped so far;

“We would like to thank the following individuals and businesses that have donated goods and services to support the fire folk in our community!

Thank you to all of the friends who have donated clothing, shoes, linens, towels, and toys!

We appreciate Blaze Pizza on Mission Street for donating a dinner to families staying at the Mission Inn.

Thank you to David Terrazas and the Brereton Law Office for supporting fire survivors with their legal needs.

We appreciate Paula Miller Maxfield and Miller Maxfield for their support.

We are so grateful to the Dancenter, the Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center, and the International Academy of Dance for opening their doors to all of the young dancers.

Thank you to The Jacobs Twins – Rachel and Aaron Jacobs and the Bicycle Trip for donating a helmet and a scooter to a young boy.

Thank you to Takara Japanese Restaurant in Capitola for providing lunch for a family.

Thank you, Verve Coffee Roasters, for welcoming a family to Santa Cruz with coffee.

We appreciate the Santa Cruz Elks (Lodge 824) and its leadership team for hosting families for a Christmas celebration and purchasing gifts for all of the children.

Thank you to Sharon Grennan for offering to board dogs while their families seek housing opportunities that will accommodate a pet.

Nourish Santa Cruz is making it possible for fire survivors to participate in yoga classes. Thank you Victor Dubin and Jocelyn Dubin!

Thank you, Cynthia Hilberath for helping to bring joy to the faces of survivors of multiple generations with a day of beauty.

Thank you to Amanda Hall at The Loft for donating hair services!

Thank you to The Jerk House on Soquel! Owned and operated by Carina Reed and her husband Tim! They comped a dinner for a family. Please thank them if you go to their restaurant-they are so lovely and their food is amazing!

VibesUP donated healing bracelets to help support all of the survivors in the community. Thanks for the great energy!”

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Dozens of camp fire survivors are now living here on the Central Coast. While they try to rebuild their lives from the ground up, residents here are making sure they don’t have to do it alone.

A facebook page was created to help connect the survivors in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties with anything they still need.

Many of them still living out of hotels, or friends houses, looking for permanent homes.

On Monday one of the group members offered her home for survivors to come and get their hair cut or colored by Cynthia Hilberath.

They are now looking for more businesses, landlords and other locals who want to help.

If you want to join the facebook page to find out how you can help, click here.

KION’S Ashley Keehn will have more at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.