wildfire relief & Recover | Southern Oregon Relief Trip is a success
On September 25, 2020, a group of Latino volunteers traveled to Southern Oregon in hopes of helping those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent forest fires. In their efforts to help their community members, volunteers brought a variety of supplies, including comforters, pillows, suitcases; boxes of diapers, formula, wipes, sanitizer, masks and toothpaste; gently used clothing items; toys; 300 pairs of bright white, brand new Adidas for all ages; and $9,500 in Lowes, Target, Fred Meyer and other gift cards. In addition to physical donations, services were also provided. At the gathering volunteers provided mental health therapy sessions to families coordinated by Melinda Avila, as well as legal counseling services from Immigration Counseling Services (ICS).
It was the vision of Leslie Garcia, who after learning about how the Southern Oregon communities of Talent and Phoenix were reduced to ash on Sept. 8, brought this relief event together. Her collaboration with the Oregon Latino/a/x Leadership Network (OLLN) and the League of United Latin American Citizens, Oregon Chapter that helped spark the foundation of the supply drop off. She worked in collaboration with OHSU colleagues and the Latino Employee Resource Group to raise donations for the communities of Southern Oregon. Garcia works for OHSU and is a leader of OLLN.
“These are hardworking families, families who propel Oregon’s economy, families already hard hit by COVID and now the ground beneath their feet is ash,” Leslie Garcia said. “We knew they needed – and they deserved – support. So much need for cultural understanding and compassion. Some lost their identification, birth certificates, and others don’t qualify for federal disaster aid. I knew we, as a collective, could help.”
To secure a drop off location, Frank Garcia, Executive Director of Immigration Counseling Service, contacted Brad Hicks, President and CEO of the Chamber of Medford/Jackson County in Southern Oregon. Hicks offered the chamber parking lot and respite space, food and restrooms for the volunteers and donated toys, duffel bags and personal hygiene products, becoming the first of many Medford partners to jump in. Many other calls followed to secure partnerships and other resources by Garcia.
Other OLLN leaders who joined in the efforts were leaders Annie Valtierra-Sanchez, Melinda Avila, and Marcela Alcantar. Many other OLLN leaders also supported the efforts by donating and assisting in other forms. OLLN worked in partnership with Cecilia Giron, President of Oregon LULAC and members. Phoenix School District LISTO Program leaders, Iglesia Del Padre, Medford/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, the Wilsonville and Medford Knights of Columbus, Bambuza Hospitality Group, OHSU Casey Eye, OHSU School of Medicine and many other partners and community who served as volunteers.
By Erin Hoover Barnett and Enrique Flores
Muchas Gracias to Our Community Partners:
Oregon Latinx Leadership Network; CAPACES Leadership Institute; Mano a Mano; Casey Eye Institute (OHSU); LISTO; Casa del Padre; LULAC Oregon; Toys for Tots; Harry & David; Bambuza Hospitality Group; Consulate of Mexico; Catholic Charities; SO Health-E; American Red Cross; Phoenix Elementary; The Knights of Columbus; Latinos Unidos Employee Resource Group (OHSU); Immigration Counseling Services; Medford/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce; Center for NonProfit Legal Service; OLLN coalition of mental health therapists; Southern Oregon University; Mary Kay; The Immigrant Mutual Aid Coalition; Southern Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Center; SOAR Legal; Ashley Orr Graves; Lorenzo the Barber
Donations are still being accepted! Please give at:
League of United Latin American Citizens Wildfire Relief Fund MRG Foundation Rogue Value Wildfire Relief Fund