Santa Barbarans Give Support to Montecito Mudslide Victims
The United Way in Santa Barbara and Ventura is adding to its 100 percent promise for Thomas Fire donations to support victims of the post-Thomas floods. A fund begun in the early days of December’s fire, the Thomas Fire pot has received $2.7 million to date. On December 29, United Way distributed $500 prepaid credit cards to about 1,000 Ventura residents whose homes had been destroyed; it was the first of many distributions, the organization said.
United Way plans a Santa Barbara distribution in February, partnering with the Santa Barbara Foundation and the Santa Barbara County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (SBC VOAD) to determine funding for organizations involved in providing aid now and also individuals eligible to receive funding, said Kathleen Riel, who heads SBC VOAD.
Contributors can do so in numerous ways: at unitedwaythomasfirefund.org and by texting UWVC to 41444. Check writers — be sure to write “Thomas Fire Fund” at the memo line — can send checks to either United Way, 702 County Square Drive, Suite 100, Ventura, CA 93003, or United Way of Santa Barbara County, 320 East Gutierrez Street, S.B., CA 93101.
This list will be updated as offers come in.
Cutting Edge Salon (5779 Calle Real, Goleta) offers 10 percent off any service for patrons who bring new clothing or nonperishable food to give to Unity Shoppe to give to flood victims.
Unity Shoppe (1401 Chapala St.) is accepting and giving new clothing, personal toiletries, and nonperishable food, as well as providing information on available services and support for those recovering from the flood and effects like job loss.
The Eyeglass Factory (1 S. Milpas) offers free, basic eyeglasses and eye exams for flood survivors who need them. Call (805) 965-9000.
CorePower Yoga (1129 State St.) will hold a “Day of Healing” on Sunday from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. The community is invited to come decompress with the healers, massage therapists, and mental health professionals at both CorePower and Impact Hub (1117 State St.). Food, drinks, and a magician to entertain will be on hand.
Public Market (38 W. Victoria) hosts Neighbor Tim’s BBQ in The Kitchen for a free meal to evacuees and first responders, Sunday and Monday, January 14-15, noon-8 p.m. @santabarbarapublicmarket
Hospice Santa Barbara (2050 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite 100) has trained counselors offering free support to anyone struggling with the natural disasters — 9 a.m.-5 p.m., through Friday, January 19, (805) 563-8820.
Santa Barbara Response Network is another place to turn to for help coping with the devastation. (805) 699-5608. The county’s toll-free crisis line is (888) 868-1649. Dial 9-1-1 if the crisis places a person in immediate danger.
The Impact Hub — all three locations — has offered free space and access to its “blazing fast internet” to entrepreneurs affected by the flood. The peaceful and fully stocked spaces are made available for longer, now through Friday, January 19, at 1117 State Street, 10 East Yanonali Street, and 1221 Chapala Street.
Santa Barbara Travel Bureau (1028 State Street, [805] 966-3116) offers to make free lodging or transportation arrangements to, within, or outside Santa Barbara and Ventura.
For anyone in the rebuild stage already, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore (6860 Cortona Drive, Suite A, Goleta) offers a 50 percent discount. Volunteers will be organizing to help with recovery efforts along with Habitat’s International Disaster Response Team.
Uber will provide a single free uberX or uberXL ride — up to $30 in value — to or from the Red Cross evacuation center at City College, and also to either Goleta or Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Use the code SBSAFE18 through Wednesday, January 17.
Toad & Co. has given the Red Cross shelter warm clothing to distribute. The Red Cross Shelter is in the Santa Barbara City College gymnasium, 721 Cliff Drive.
A list of hotels offering discounts to people out of their homes is available at the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce site.
Amazing Grace Urns offers to those involved in the Montecito floods a free biodegradable water burial urn — a sculptured contiainer that floats for a short period — for cremated remains. “It’s the bridge between this life and the next chapter,” said founder Noel Solomon. Contact info@amazinggraceurns.com
Diani Boutique has set up a space at the Hotel Californian (36 State Street) today, January 11, where denim donated by Citizens of Humanity in Santa Monica is being given to flood victims.
