Calif. Strong Distributes 2nd Round of Money to Camp Fire Victims

California Strong, a nonprofit organization created by California professional athletes to provide immediate financial support to victims after disasters, distributed its second round of funding to 22 families who were impacted by the Camp Fire that devastated the town of Paradise, Calif. and surrounding communities. California Strong representatives passed out $122,000 to applicants on May 23 at the Oroville YMCA.

The financial help was made possible by a grant from North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF). “It took just one day for the Camp Fire to become the deadliest and most destructive fire in California history," says Alexa Benson-Valavanis, NVCF president and CEO. "It took less than one day for the North Valley Community Foundation to transform into a disaster relief organization to help our devastated communities. We reached out to community foundation and philanthropy partners, many of whom were longtime friends, the rest of whom became friends like our new partnership with California Strong."

In February, California Strong distributed an initial round of funding to 268 families affected by the Camp Fire. When NVCF made available additional funds, the application deadline was extended and applicants were vetted and selected to receive funding.

California Strong also distributed funds to families impacted by the Woolsey Fire in southern California. All told, the organization has distributed almost $1.4 million to victims.

"Natural disasters have become a fact of life in California," says Danielle Stone, California Strong director. "California Strong is committed to working with wonderful partners such as the North Valley Community Foundation to make sure that when disaster strikes we'll be there to provide immediate assistance."

California Strong

California Strong founders include Milwaukee Brewers members and California natives Christian Yelich, Ryan Braun and Mike Moustakas, Mike Attanasio of the Milwaukee Brewers ownership group and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff. They joined forces with the Southeast Ventura County YMCA to create California Strong after the Borderline shooting and California fires in November 2018. The organization is committed to providing immediate financial support to victims whenever a disaster strikes anywhere in the state. For more information about California Strong or to donate, visit www.californiastrong.org or call Southeast Ventura County YMCA, 805-497-3081.

North Valley Community Foundation

The North Valley Community Foundation identifys emerging challenges in the region and then brings together diverse groups of problem-solvers, mobilizes resources, and equips community leaders. NVCF builds and energizes a community of engaged citizens and philanthropists who strengthen the common good. In the six months after the fire, NVCF awarded 210 grants for relief and response totaling more than $3.6 million through their Camp Fire Relief Fund and an additional $2 million for schools and public safety through donor-advised donations. For more information, visit https://www.nvcf.org or call 530-891-1150.