United Way of Santa Barbara

City of Santa Barbara Housing Authority Helps Those Affected by The Tea Fire 12/04/2008

In times of adversity, it is remarkable to see how people come together. While tragic, the Tea Fire has illustrated the deep care our community has for one another. It has been moving to witness the support and generosity of this community.

An example of this spirit is the action The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara has taken to help survivors of the Tea Fire. The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara was about to kick-off their annual workplace campaign when the Tea Fire struck. Their response was immediate. Tiffany Carter led efforts to gather a group of volunteers. They will also be gathering donations for the Tea Fire Fund by passing around a coin jar. Thank you Housing Authority for stepping up in this time of need.

Community Comes Together In Time Of Need
11/25/2008

United Way of Santa Barbara County is pleased to announce that to date over $120,000 dollars has been raised by the Tea Fire Fund in response to the devastation of the Santa Barbara Tea Fire.

United Way of Santa Barbara County is here to work with community partners to identify and provide assistance for unmet needs of the affected families of the Tea Fire destruction. The support will continue for the long-term recovery of the entire Santa Barbara and Montecito communities.

Reflecting upon our community's history, United Way of Santa Barbara County has partnered with the Santa Barbara Foundation, KEYT, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, and Cumulus Radio, to name just a few, to launch the Santa Barbara Tea Fire Response Fund. As a community, we have a short window of opportunity to maximize our collective fundraising efforts. These efforts will ensure that victims of this disaster receive the longer term assistance needed for the community's recovery. Radio, television, newspapers and online resources are mobilizing now to maximize the much needed fund-raising response. 100% of all donations will be used to benefit survivors of the Tea Fire.

Tea Fire Drive Thru Donation Event
by Joel Goforth, United Way Team Member
11/19/2008

l-r Joel Goforth (UWSB Community Impact Team Leader) & Austin Webb (high school student volunteer)

On Tuesday evening, November 18th, I had the pleasure to participate in the drive-thru donation drive to raise money for the Tea Fire Response Fund hosted by United Way Santa Barbara County. I was amazed at the speed in which the community mobilized to put on this event to support those affected by the Tea Fire. Agency representatives and concerned community members from Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Santa Barbara Jewish Family Service, The Santa Barbara Association of Realtors, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust and David Lack of Lack Construction, to name a few, were there to help. KEYT News broadcasted live while interviewing volunteers, community partners and donors alike. The parking lot was set up to take drive-thru donations with volunteers manning the tables. In the parking lot spirits were high as we all cheered and clapped when cars pulled in to make their donations. Volunteers were accepting donations, holding signs, and directing traffic. Inger Budke, from the Santa Barbara Housing Authority brought her 7 year old daughter, Kristiana, who pitched in by holding one of the donation buckets. One car tossed, to a volunteer, a cash donation in a money clip, barely slowing down as they drove by! Lemos Feed and Pet Supply, who share the parking lot with United Way, also helped out by making space available and distributing free pet food for those with pets affected by the fire. Owner Mike Lemos shared with me a story of one lady whose cat had been missing since the fire and had just returned to her that afternoon! Over all, the event was a huge success and we hope to have more. It is important in times of disaster that the community pulls together to help one another. Stories like these show the caring and giving nature of our community. Thank you to all that came out to support the Santa Barbara Tea Fire Response fund.

Santa Barbara Symphony Concert at the Granada for Santa Barbara Tea Fire Response Fund
By Juli Askew
11/24/2008

Lines were around the block last night to get in to the Granada. Families with small children, seniors, young adults and a few men in uniform (police that is) were anxiously awaiting the doors to open for the Santa Barbara Symphony’s FREE concert for those affected by the Tea Fire. As the Granada graciously opened their theatre doors to the community, the community opened their hearts and their wallets. Not only were the attendees in grateful spirits, they welcomed the invitations to contribute to the Santa Barbara Tea Fire Response Fund by dropping cash and checks into donation buckets. Over $3,600 was raised this evening. Staff members of United Way shared their smiles with those either giving to the cause or those knowing they will eventually be receiving from it. It was a night that showed Santa Barbara’s true spirit – with the incredible concert inside, all those that were giving felt they were receiving more in return!

"We Were All One"
by Jerry Bellamy, Power of Partnership Initiative - Project Leader
11/20/2008

The gym at the Montecito Covenant Church became the scene of great concern and care for more than 300 people of the Mountain Drive Community Association last Wednesday night. The building itself was surrounded with the heavy smell of destruction. Inside the building was the sense of strength, determination and people helping people. Speakers refused to let themselves be called “victims”. Tearful speakers reminded all of us that it was just normal people who lost homes and livelihoods. I looked around and I remember that everyone seemed to be wearing the same colored clothing. They all looked the same. Even the County and City officials and their agency directors looked like the people they came to serve. We were all one.

BLAST FROM THE PAST
11/19/2008

Santa Barbara residents are all too familiar with the effects of devastating wildfires. The community has been forced to pull together their resources several times over the last 35 years. Fire relief funds are the forefront of disaster relief and recovery.

In 1991, the Fire Relief Fund collected $759,427.26 for the victims of Painted Cave Fire. These funds were raised through efforts of a KEYT-TV telethon, a KTMS radio campaign, and United Way Of Santa Barbara County.

In addition United Way of Santa Barbara County disbursed $82,575 from its own Community Disaster Fund to minimize the financial impact to human service agencies that have served the needs of fire victims during the previous year. These agencies included Family Service Agency, Direct Relief Int'l, Salvation Army, Council of Christmas Cheer (Unity Shoppe), Catholic Charities, and the American Red Cross.

United Way has a long history of helping the community during disasters just as we did with the Sycamore Canyon, Painted Cave, & Gap Fires.

Tea Fire Response Fund Drive-Thru Donation Drive
11/19/2008

On Tuesday, November 18, 2008, in collaboration with Community Partners Santa Barbara Foundation, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust & KEYT, United Way of Santa Barbara hosted a Drive-Thru Donation Drive! The community came out to generously donate to the Tea Fire Response Fund as KEYT-TV broadcasted live from United Way of Santa Barbara County's Parking Lot. Thank You to everyone that came out and made this possible! Please check back for further information and updates on the Tea Fire Response Fund


Paul Didier, President & CEO, United Way of Santa Barbara and Joe Gehl, KEYT	A drive thru donation for the Tea Fire Response Fund!