CHICO – With the Park Fire still raging, local organizations have put together a benefit concert in just 11 days, bringing people together for music and beer at Chico City Plaza on Saturday to support organizations working with families affected by the fire.
“Roots of Resilience” was no ordinary event – it was a sign of understanding for those affected by the park fire, shown by people who share their pain.
This was the case for Jenny Lowery, the director of From the Ground Up Farms, who lost her home in the Camp Fire and whose life’s work has since been to support families made homeless by wildfires by providing them with a place to stay and helping them with their belongings.
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Her organization is a resource for people who have lost their homes in Cohasset. Many of the organization’s volunteers have become homeless in fires and use social media to reach out to people to offer advice.
“I have phones in both pockets. This one lady needs food. This one lady needs to know where to find information. Another lady wants to know where to park her trailer,” Lowrey said. “We’re busy.”
Lowrey isn’t the only one who’s been busy; organizations like the Camp Fire Restoration Project and Restore the Land have set up booths to provide information to fire survivors.
Event organizer Gary Smith, co-owner of Kai Music & Arts Studio, said proceeds from the event will go to the Cohasset Community Association through the nonprofit Artistic Mobilization Platform. The money came from beer sales with donations from Ramble West and Farmers breweries, shirts from Brad White of Hot White Tees, vendor fees and a $10 voluntary donation for the concert.
Smith said he was very happy when people came together for a cause – and a phone call with his friend Kevin Killian led to this quick response to help the fire victims.
“Everyone came together,” Smith said, including the city, the Chico Fire Department, the Chico Police Department and even the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which approved their request to serve alcohol in less than 24 hours.
Helping hands
Wendy McCall, a volunteer with From the Ground Up, brought handmade wooden hearts with the words “To Cohasset with Love” written on them, made by children who participate in the group’s program for families affected by wildfires. In September, the hearts will be displayed on Cohasset’s old welcome sign to send a positive message of love to people coming to town.
The Cohasset Community Association, which benefits from the concert, was also in attendance and donated clothing received after the park fire.
Association board member Susana Malcom said Cohasset was lucky that its community buildings, such as the church, fire station and school, survived the fire.
“The framework of the community is still there, so we can rebuild from there,” Malcom said.
So far, the association has provided people with showers, clothing and food, and set up a fund for fire victims with the North Valley Community Foundation. The fund has already helped with septic tank repairs and renting storage vehicles to transport items, she said, and soon may also provide grants directly to people who have lost their homes.
After the park fire broke out, Lowery and McCall said their group immediately went to work, offering volunteer labor to help restore the buildings and working with the Cohasset Community Association to apply for grants.
“We’re professionals, unfortunately,” Lowery said. “First I get sad, then the reality of how we were able to help and make a difference overwhelms the sadness, and I think that’s what keeps me going.”
Lowery said the feedback she gets from the people she talks to is what motivates her and gives her strength.
“I have the answer to their question, and that’s everything to me, because that’s where they can start,” she said. “They’re overwhelmed; it’s going to be a month before they even know what hit them.”
