Community shows support for California wildfire victims

A series of destructive wildfires have affected large portions of southern California this year and those affected by the fires have been in need of help.

As N’Tricia Cooke, of Bradley, watched people lose their homes, she listened to their stories. Many hit her heart.

There was one story in particular that hit her the hardest.

It was about a young man who lost his father and then a month later lost his home to the wildfires. Cooke lost her mom in 2024.

“I couldn’t even begin to imagine also losing all sentimental values a month after grieving such a major loss,” she said. “I thought, ‘What can I do to help?’”

Cooke wanted to contribute in some way and woke up one morning with some ideas.

Cooke wanted to help those wildfire victims by assembling hygiene kits.

“I’ve seen so many things happen in the world and wanted to help, but didn’t know how, and who to trust. So I’m just so grateful to have the opportunity to help, support, and serve,” she said.

Cooke has organized an event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bradley Public Library to assemble those kits. Volunteers are welcome.

The hygiene kits have disposable body wipes, chap stick, toothbrush/toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products for women.

The volunteers will be putting the items in each bag so Cooke can get them shipped off to California.

Since the fires broke out Jan. 7 in southern California, at least 28 people have been died as a result and an estimated 14,000 structures have been destroyed, according to the Associated Press.

Cooke said she spoke with the Bradley Fire Department and they’ve agreed to show community support by contributing a bag to insert the kits in. There have also been local restaurants that donated, she said.

https://daily-journal.com/news/community-shows-support-for-california-wildfire-victims/article_21416448-da07-11ef-8889-13e6307cc981.html