Outpouring of love by South Shore community for Camp Fire victims

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It takes a tragedy to bring people together, no matter their politics, their income or twitter handle.

Many in the South Lake Tahoe and Meyers community remember where they were at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, 2007 and what happened in the days that followed. The Angora Fire quickly tore through neighborhoods, destroying 251 homes and burning 3,100 acres. While it seems small in comparison with the monster fires of 2017 and 2018, it took everything from so many local families.

The community came together to help their friends and neighbors.

Perhaps it is those memories or the general caring nature of the South Shore community, but there has been an outpouring of support for the thousands of victims of the Camp Fire burning in the cities of Paradise and Magalia.

To date, 81 people have died, 153,336 acres have burned, 13,503 single homes and 514 businesses have been destroyed in the Camp Fire which is now 80 percent contained.

Firefighters and law enforcement from all local agencies have responded to help.

The South Lake Tahoe, Meyers, Stateline, Zephyr Cove and surrounding communities have also responded.

Jamie Sessions, a Chart House employee, and her husband Andrew, an engineer with Lake Valley Fire Protection District, have made three trips on their days off to the fire zone with cash, gift cards and supplies from the community. Jamie put out the word on Facebook about a trip to deliver items and people responded with everything on her list. She took her Toyota 4Runner packed full of donations and drove to Paradise, meeting with survivors and those helping them. With so many people wanting to donate the second trip was soon planned and she and Andrew took both her vehicle and his truck with a 12 foot trailer attached, all full of supplies. On Tuesday, November 20, the couple drove a filled 4Runner and 24-foot U-Haul truck to Paradise.

"Our community has been amazing," said Jamie. "They've cleared out stores." She said many are bringing bags from TJ Maxx, Kmart and other stores.

Leona Allen, Lake Valley Fire board member has been at the fire station to collect donations. She said there has been a non-stop line of people driving by with items for Paradise. The other fire stations in the city have also been drop off points for donations.

For the Sessions' trips, U-Haul donated the trailer and truck, along with gas, Pet Supermarket and Pet Station along with their customers have donated pet food and supplies, the Humane Society donated all of their supplies including dog costumes (may seem strange but they keep the dogs warm as they sleep with their owners in tents), and many have dropped off gift cards, sleeping bags, blankets and other items on the list generated by those working with the Camp Fire victims. Jamie said it is very important to only get those items requested as drop off locations are full of items not needed at this time. She also said an empty Toys R Us store is going to be used to house some of those living in parking lots. Another warehouse is being opened as rains hit the area.

Jamie and Andrew are planning to make another trip at the end of the month. With the rainy season here there is a big need for tarps. For a list of specific needs and future trips, Jamie has started a Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/donate/268819933819630/10161158099565092/.

"We are so grateful for our amazing community," said Leona.

Many others have been helping the fire victims, and here are a few of them.

Sanchez Ranch Meat Company of Minden, Nevada has been collecting food and donations for the last several days with a goal of cooking Thanksgiving Dinner for at least 3,000 people Thursday. Area businesses, restaurants and locals have been stopping by their Highway 395 location and dropping off everything from buns to cash. Owner Brooke Sullivan started a GoFundMe to collect donations to help with the meals and plans to give gift cards to those attending their dinner.

Marcus Ashley Gallery owner Ashley Mattila is matching all donations up to $5,000 to help a family who lost everything get back on their feet. The mother of that family is pregnant with baby #3 who is due in less than a month. Checks and donations are being collected at the gallery located at 4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd, #23, South Lake Tahoe.

Airbnb sent out messages to the thousands of homeowners in their vacation home network in California and Nevada. Many in South Lake Tahoe gave the use of their homes to victims who were in town last week and staying for the holiday.

Instances such as these have been repeated numerous times not only around Lake Tahoe, but across the country.

The list of those running down to aid have been numerous, thank you. The need at this time is shelter, gift cards and volunteers. To volunteer, visit http://www.caring-choices.org/ to fill out the required forms. They are processing 4,000 applications at this time due to overwhelming support of the situation.