Victims of the Southern California Wildfires Need Our Help
I think the fires in Southern California this past week hit a little close to home for many of us here in Arizona for several reasons. First, although I don’t have any friends or relatives in that area (I’m from back east and my family is scattered all over), many of my friends here do have that connection and I know they were especially concerned about the fires and their devastating impact. Second, although I have no friends there, like most Arizonans my family has made frequent trips and enjoyed vacations in Southern California for the past 35 years. Our girls grew up spending summers on the sandy beaches north of San Diego, so watching the reports of the fires touched me deeply. My heart and my prayers are with all those whose lives were disrupted, and whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
Like many people, I wanted to know what I could do to help. Fortunately the United Methodist Church through its relief agency United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is already there responding to the overwhelming needs of those communities hit hardest by the fires. Our Bishop has written a letter encouraging all of us to contribute to a relief fund set up for this purpose. You can read her letter elsewhere on this website.
I hope you’ll join me in giving generously to assist the thousands of families who lost their homes from this immense natural disaster. And continue to keep them in your prayers.
Blessings,
Steve