If you have been anywhere on Buena’s campus in the past month, you have surely seen posters in every classroom, on every wall and on every doorway advertising the fundraiser that the first responders club is hosting. Buena’s first responders club is dedicated to collecting essential items for LA fire victims who lost their homes in the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires that engulfed LA county in January.
The two fires combined have burned at least 37,448 acres, killed 29 people and reduced 19,400 structures to ruins. An estimated cost of $40 billion is expected to rebuild.
“We wanted to host this fundraiser because we wanted to help the families affected by [the] fires,” club president and Senior Nathan Fox said. “We thought as a club we should do something for the communities affected.”
Club adviser and first responders teacher Merrit Eaton was eager to help sponsor the event that has such a direct impact on the affected communities.
“We hope to provide a little bit of comfort and necessary items to the every day needs of the victims affected,” Eaton said.
The club is looking for essential items, such as toiletries, baby items, bed sheets, pet supplies, feminine hygiene products and more. The one item they don’t want at the moment is clothing, because they felt that it is the most donated, and would, therefore, be too much for the people needing it.
The deadline for donations was Feb. 21, but the club says they will continue to collect donations as long as people have items to give. They will deliver the supplies to LA the weekend of the 22nd.
“[We want] anything that someone would use on a daily basis in their house that is not clothing,” Eaton said. “That can even be backpacks, suitcases, boxes or bins, because a lot of people are now given items, and they have no way to transport them.”
Participation has been more than what they expected, with donations filling up two trash bins in room 101.
“Honestly, I expected a little bit less, only because I’ve seen fundraisers before with the school, and not many people did donate,” Fox said. “But I am very happy with the amount that we have received so far.”
In times of need, especially in strenuous times such as these, it is ever more important for students to showcase their compassion and kindness for others. By following the example our own peers have set for us, we surely can all make a positive difference in this world.
