One week after calling for donations for River Fire survivors, the Nevada County Relief Fund has raised over $110,000, with $60,000 coming from 355 generous local donors, and another $50,000 from the Placer Community Foundation. With 54 Nevada County homes destroyed and another nine damaged, these funds are desperately needed to help these devastated households recover.
“The fire is mostly contained thanks to our heroic firefighters. Now the hard recovery work begins for our neighbors who have no homes to return to. I commend the more than 350 people who have reached into their pockets and given so much so quickly to the ‘River Fire Relief Fund’ and am deeply grateful to the Placer Community Foundation’s donors as well. I encourage those who haven’t given yet to do so as the need is great,” said Leo Granucci, Co-Chair of the Nevada County Relief Fund’s Community Advisory Council.
With support from the League of California Community Foundations, the Placer Community Foundation is making a $50,000 contribution the Nevada County Relief Fund. “We are grateful for the quick and substantial charitable response to help our neighbors who have been affected by the River Fire. Our community has proven once again how kind it is through donations to the fund,” noted Veronica Blake, Placer Community Foundation’s CEO.
Many local businesses have donated to the “River Fire Relief Fund,” including the Inn Town Campground in Nevada City, who donated $1,000 to help those impacted by the fire. “During these times of need, we feel strongly in doing our part to support our community. During the evacuations we had tent and RV campers stay with us at the campground and were able to facilitate donations from other campers to help people during their times of need,” said campground owner Erin Thiem.
River Fire survivors will also get help from the California Fire Foundation who have donated $250 SAVE gift cards. “So many people are suffering in the communities impacted by the River Fire,” said Rick Martinez, Executive Director of the California Fire Foundation. "Our foundation has already supported communities heavily impacted by disaster, and we are proud to continue to assist the Nevada County Relief Fund in their vital work."
The Nevada County Relief Fund continues to solicit donations at Donate | Nevada County Relief Fund for COVID-19 (nevcorelief.org).
County officials have partnered with Connecting Point to provide case management services to River Fire survivors. “Our trained ‘Navigators’ will work one-on-one with survivors to walk them through the recovery process, including applying for the Nevada County Relief Fund monies,” said Tim Guiliani, Executive Director of Connecting Point. The Navigators will review the applications to the Relief Fund and recommend eligible applicants for funding.
River Fire survivors who have lost their homes are invited to apply for relief by completing an online application form available at Apply for relief | Nevada County Relief Fund for COVID-19 (nevcorelief.org).
About the Nevada County Relief Fund
The Nevada County Relief Fund was created through a partnership between the County of Nevada, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, the Sierra Business Council, Center for Nonprofit Leadership, and the Economic Resource Council.
The Fund was established in April 2020 with a $100,000 “challenge grant” from the Nevada County Board of Supervisors to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Since then, the Relief Fund has raised $1.3 Million to help dozens of small businesses and nonprofits countywide. Last August, the Relief Fund raised over $30,000 for Jones Fire relief efforts.
Placer County Relief Efforts
To support Placer County residents impacted by the River Fire, please donate at Placer Community Foundation (placercf.org)
