Mercy Trip to Fire-Devastated Areas: How You Can Help

— by Siloam Parsons —

The plan is to leave the weekend of the 23rd.

Siloam Parsons, , Lois Christensen and Colleen Billings load up items donated by Score! Nifty Thrifty

I grew up in the Methow Valley and it is a beautiful place filled with beautiful people who have been devastated by the biggest fire in Washington state history. Some families have insurance and some don’t.

I am collecting donations of practical items that are needed by many to recreate a home. The disaster relief is bringing in FEMA trailers from what I understand as most of the families affected are still in shelters.

So, if you have usable items in good to great condition to donate please contact me at 376-3034 or pm on Facebook (Siloam Parsons). I have included a list (below) from the command center as well as a list to help generate ideas. A big thank you to everyone who has donated and will donate. You are blessing many families.

Kitchen:

• Dish Soap
• Paper Towels
• Coffee/Tea
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Saran Wrap
• Water

Bathroom:

• Toilet Paper
• Body Lotion (no more travel size
• please)
• Kleenex (Puffs Plus)

Living room:

• Folding Tables
• Free Standing Fans

Bedroom:

• Sleeping pads*
• Gladiator Shelving from Home Depot (25% off and free shipping in Omak)

Cleaning Supplies:

• Any & all cleaning supplies!
• Brooms (shop or utility-sized)*
• Bleach*
• Cleaning Sponges
• Baking Soda

Outdoor:

• Locks & Chains****
• N-95 Masks for burn areas*
• Big garbage cans*
• Goggles*
• Tarps*
• Garbage Bags
• Mosquito Spray (not travel size)
• Storage Shed (8’x8’ or bigger for donated generators)

Miscellaneous

• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Local Business Gift
• Certificates/Vouchers/Gift Cards*
• Artist Supplies (At least two artists lost all their art supplies: pastels, watercolors, brushes,
• etc.)
• Tool Sets (For woodworkers & mechanics who lost them all.)
• Clothes racks to dry clothes
• Box Cutters
• Ice, crushed

*Straight to those who lost everything.

This is the current list from the command center,

• Things to make a FEMA trailer a home:
• Beds, mats, sheets, blankets, curtains, sleeping bags, ables, chairs, lamps, tv, vcr, dvd players, radios and computers, pots,pans, cups, plates, silverware, toasters, coffee makers
• Tools! any and all
• Artist supplies
• Children’s items, toys (in good condition) and not too bulky, art supplies
• Very limited clothing, good coats, shoes (especially for kids)
• strollers, high chairs, saucers, or activity mats
• towels