Santa Rosa, CA…In response to California Wildfires, a tremendous amount of donated goods from individuals, companies, and organizations have been received. In order to help streamline the vast amounts of items that are arriving in impacted areas and coordinate getting those items to California Wildfire survivors , the American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region, American Red Cross Gold Country Region, Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire (Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Mendocino and Lake counties) and Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley and Northern Nevada have created a strategic partnership for the handling of non-financial donations to better serve those affected by the California wildfires during their recovery efforts.

Alongside partners, Red Cross disaster workers are supporting shelters and fanning out across communities that have been reopened to provide food, emergency relief supplies and support to people whose lives have been turned upside-down by these wildfires because of the financial donations and corporate support.

The community has been very generous and wants to do everything they can to help after a disaster. Unfortunately, collecting and sending food, clothing and other household items often does more harm than good. It takes time and money to transport, store, sort, clean and distribute donated items, which diverts limited time and resources away from helping those most affected with food, shelter, health, and emotional support.

Goodwill is better positioned to accept, sort, store and distribute donations of clothing and household goods. In addition to being a material goods processing hub, Goodwill Industries has committed to providing $325,000 in vouchers to connect community members affected by these fires with the donated clothing and other household items. Vouchers will be distributed to qualified clients through the casework process at the Red Cross Client Assistance Centers.  Vouchers will be allocated based on need and can be redeemed for selected items in Goodwill locations throughout Northern California.

People who would like to donate items can visit any Goodwill Industries Donation Center location throughout the Northern California. Individuals desiring to donate items for victims of California Wildfires can check with their local Goodwill to learn how donations will be handled. 

“A partnership between Goodwill and the American Red Cross ensures that the generosity of the community ends up in the intended recipient’s hands. Goodwill is not a first response organization. Through partnerships we are able to allow for immediate distribution of items, while activating our team to support in donation management. Our role is to be good shepherds of donated material goods, for which we created our voucher program. Through the use of vouchers, our neighbors are able to select items they need, when they are ready for them,” according to Brandy Evans, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire.  “We are continually humbled by the community and its support, especially in times of need.  We are honored to partner with our fellow Goodwill and the Red Cross to provide crucially need resources for both the immediate and long term needs in the areas affected by the devastating fires,” said Richard Abrusci, COO, Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley and Northern Nevada.

“Those affected by the California wildfires have many varied needs as they work to rebuild their lives,” said Denise Everhart, Red Cross Coordinating Officer for the California Wildfires. “Our new partnership with Goodwill will ensure we can get donated items quickly to those in need.”

Find Goodwill locations: www.goodwill.org/donate-and-shop/donate-stuff

Donate to Red Cross California Wildfires relief efforts: www.redcross.org

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm1-HXLC74U&feature=youtu.be

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.