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Volunteers Continue Rebuilding Homes for Victims of California Wildfires

September 7, 2022
Press Release

Volunteers Continue Rebuilding Homes for Victims of California Wildfires

 

Erich Foeckler

Director of Philanthropy

(c) 619-807-2849

efoeckler@irteams.org

 

September 7, 2022 –SAN DIEGO – Two groups of skilled construction volunteers from International Relief Teams (IRT) will deploy to Northern California for one week to rebuild homes destroyed by the devastating California fires.

One team is heading to rebuild in Paradise, CA and the another is deploying to Happy Camp, CA. Saturday, September 10 at 8:00 am on United Airlines flight UA1107. Volunteers from Happy Camp return to San Diego on Sunday, September 18 on United Airlines flight UA353, arriving at 6:12 pm.

Another group of local volunteers will depart from the San Diego International Airport for Paradise, CA on Sunday, September 11, at 10:00 am on Southwest Airlines flight SW1279 at 10:00 am. This group returns on Sunday,September 18 on Southwest Airlines flight SW2374 at 11:30 am.

All volunteers have experience with providing informative interviews in person or via Zoom.

The 2018 Camp Fire was the deadliest and most destructive in California’s history. About 30,000 families lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their hopes for the future.Many low-income and retired families and individuals in Paradise are still struggling to begin rebuilding their homes and their lives, even four years after the fire.

The 2020 Slater Fire was devastating to the small rural town of Happy Camp, CA. The fire burned through 157,000 acres, and 212 homes. More than 80% of homes lost were uninsured and half of the school children were left homeless. Families desperately want to rebuild and continue their lives in Happy Camp.

The teams of IRT volunteerswill provide framing and roofing services for families who have not been able to recover on their own.

“This is our first team to deploy to Happy Camp and our tenth team for Paradise. We could not do this important work without our dedicated, skilled volunteers and we are so grateful for their commitment. We will continue to send teams as needed to help families who cannot recover on their own,” said Angelica Ocampo, IRT Chief Executive Officer.

To volunteer on a future team visit our website: https://www.irteams.org/about/volunteer-opportunities  

IRT has 34 years of experience in assisting victims of disasters, both nationally and internationally. IRT also has a long history of providing aid and/or volunteer construction teams following major wildfires in California including the 2018 Camp and Carr fires, the 2015 Valley fire, the 2007 and 2003 San Diego firestorms, and now the 2020 Slater fire.

International Relief Teams alleviates the suffering caused by poverty and disaster around the globe, from the forgotten corners of the world to right here at home, by sending volunteer teams and medical supplies to make immediate change for the world’s most vulnerable people. For more information visit: http://www.irteams.org. Also, see us on Facebook

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