High School organizes donation drive for students affected by CZU Lightning Complex Fire

FELTON, Calif. (KION) Shoes, shirts and school supplies arrived at San Lorenzo Valley High School by the truckload.

"A company that we buy our PE and sports uniforms from, contacted me after the fire and said, 'How can we help?,'" said San Lorenzo Valley High School Principal, Jeff Calden.

The company, BSN Sports, stepped up and volunteer parents quickly set up a donation "shop." Students were welcomed back onto campus to pick out what they needed.

"When you've lost your home in a fire, you may only have what you took when you evacuated. Often that is not a lot. Many students didn't take their school books or computers with them," said San Lorenzo Valley School District Superintendent, Laurie Bruton.

Thousands were evacuated in the Santa Cruz Mountains from the CZU Lightning Complex Fire and nearly 90 San Lorenzo Valley School District students lost their homes.

Shirley Davis and her daughter spent many nights at an evacuation center at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville. "I feel for everybody that has had to go through this. I don't wish it upon anybody," said Davis.

Davis' daughter left the school with a bag full of new clothes. It is a start to replacing some of what was lost and an effort the school district plans to continue.

A parent group has already raised over $11,000 to help fund similar projects.

"It's great that the community can come together like this and help everybody out," said Davis.