Editor:

The Cranston Fire seems like it happened a short lifetime ago with all that’s been going on in the world around us.

I’m writing you today to share my thoughts regarding an extraordinary outreach event that took place in Idyllwild a few weeks ago.

Several weeks ago, my Facebook page posted several pictures of the Cranston Fire, a day after evacuation. Within 24 hours I received a call from a board member of an international organization in New York who saw my posting. The call inquired if I was aware of any organization up here or a community member who was severely impacted by the fire. They had disaster funds that may be available to us.

I immediately contacted Chief Patrick Reitz and the Help Center and forwarded their mission statements and need requests to New York.

Within days, the Help Center was contacted requesting more information and an interview. They subsequently received an award of $4,200 to assist with their mission, providing health vouchers, food, clothing to the underserved population of our community. We were thrilled.

An organization across the country found Idyllwild and helped our little mountain top community.

Mid-October, representatives from B’nai B’rith International from Los Angeles came to the Help Center for a presentation of the check along with four Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity brothers from LA, Pomona and out of state. These four young men worked most of the day helping the Help Center with abatement, donating their time and efforts on behalf of Idyllwild.

We are living during very chaotic times where heart-to-heart connections, compassion and generosity to our brethren are of the utmost importance in supporting one another.

Suzie Bennett

Fern Valley