Flapper's Folly

Reports on the fires in California continue to be grim. More lives lost, more homes destroyed, and thousands of acres consumed. I am upset by this, but I am more upset by the way people react to it. I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. When a small town with maybe a population of 3000 is hit by a tornado, the local news carries stories of where to donate food, money and goods to help those afflicted. We see Christian organizations loading up trucks and heading off on their good Samaritan missions. Where are these things now?

Is it that most of us consider California La La Land? Can we not muster sympathy for the loss of a million dollar home? Even if that home is no larger than the one we live in? Perhaps it is that most people here cannot begin to imagine the scope, the sheer size of those fires. People here speak of distance in minutes. They have no understanding of miles except perhaps in the air. They certainly don't know the first thing about acres or sections.

Yes, I know, that is a generalization. I shouldn't do that. I can't help it. I was raised in a small town and there was an innate belief that city people didn't know the first thing about the rest of the country that surrounded them. No, not every person in a city. And certainly no specific city. But I've lived in the city long enough now to observe that generally it is true.

Last night I watched the local weatherman try to descibe the size of these fires in terms of the metroplex. He tried to explain what 660,000 acres would be. Do you realize it is more than three times the size of New York City? And yes, the images we see are full of trees, but there are houses in those trees. Family homes full of family heirlooms, kid's bicycles, and all the earthly possessions of people just like you and me. Not all houses are built cookie cutter style on flattened postage stamp lots.

Yes, this is a rant. This is my place to rant. I fully realize I should do more than rant. I don't intend to sit on my ass and complain about the complacency of others. I'm taking the initiative this time. Today I am calling and finding out where help is needed most and how to get it there. I will pass this information on to you. And I ask that others take this matter up at your church, workplace, or any organization you are involved in. I believe people are generous and good, they simply need direction. Contact me with information of any efforts and I will post them here and pass them along in every way I know.

More than 2,600 homes have been lost. Countless people are homeless and without possessions. Those people are just like you and me.

Update: Due to changes made since 9/11, it is no longer possible to earmark donations for specific localities to the National Red Cross. The Red Cross is a wonderful organization and providing shelters and help for those suffering in California. To assist in those efforts, donations should be made to the local chapters: San Diego/Imperial Counties Red Cross Chapter , the Claremont Chapter, the Inland Empire Chapter, the San Gabriel Valley Chapter, the Riverside County Chapter, whose office is temporarily relocated due to the fires, the Ventura County Chapter ... (more to be added as available)

Contributions to the Southern California Wildfire Relief Fund will be matched dollar for dollar
up to a total of $100,000 by the California Community Foundation. They have waived all administrative fees associated with the establishment of the fund and the disbursement of grants to permit 100 percent of the money raised to be available quickly to the disaster area.