The Caldor Fire started on August 14th in a small corner of El Dorado County. By the morning of August 17th, the town of Grizzly Flats had been devastated and large sections of the county were under evacuation orders with many others preparing to evacuate, just in case. In the weeks that followed, what unfolded was like something from our worst nightmares. More and more evacuation orders were issued as the Caldor Fire marched through El Dorado County without rest. Collectively, we feared for our homes, our livelihoods, and for many of us, our very way of life. We didn’t know when we would be able to go home or what exactly we would be going home to.
During this time, and in the weeks that would follow, something else happened. Something miraculous. While many were experiencing one of the worst and most stressful events of their lives, our incredibly generous community stepped forward in an outpouring of support the likes of which we have never seen.
To date, 4775 unique donations have come in to support the victims of the Caldor Fire. Donations of all sizes big and small have come in from individuals, small business, and corporations alike, as well as through countless fundraisers by various groups and organizations! Calls came in from near and far from organizations wanting to help. Many of them wanting to put on fundraisers and many just wanting to write a check to support the victims of the fire.
So much can be said about a community based on how it responds to a crisis, and it is clear that our community is one that cares for its neighbors. Just as incredible though, was the response from outside our county that came in from individuals and groups some of whom had ties to El Dorado County, but many of whom did not!
Many such groups reached out to the El Dorado Community Foundation because their communities had been through similar catastrophic wildfires in the last several years, and they knew just how devastating it can be to a community. Fundraisers ranged from workplace/neighborhood collections to large organized concerts, and every single one regardless of how large or small, is appreciated by a community whom many of these groups will never meet.
Ultimately, it is often our shared experiences that bring us together, even when those shared experiences are catastrophes like the Caldor Fire. The measure of a community’s strength and resiliency is shown in how it responds to the worst of situations. Community steps forward and leaders from that community are born. The Caldor Fire is no exception and we are seeing community leaders rise from the ashes to take on the long and difficult recovery process for the communities that have been impacted the hardest.
Without the generosity of individuals, groups, organizations, small businesses, and corporations from both our local community and communities from other parts of California and the United States, recovery would be close to impossible.
Below are some of the organizations, small businesses, and corporations who supported community through the Caldor Fire.
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all of the donors, volunteers, and leaders that have stepped up to the monumental tasks both ahead and behind. There are far too many to name here but they are all equally worthy of thanks. They will likely never meet those whose live they have touched but their support of community will not be forgotten. A long road lies ahead, but no one needs to walk it alone. Together we are strong, and together we will rebuild that which was lost.
many of my firends lost everything as well as myself. Insurances are not doing their jobs to help recover. The county and state somewhat but i know there is a price tag that will hit us all at a later date. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT