Nearly 2 1/2 years after the Woolsey Fire destroyed hundreds of homes in Southern California, many families are still impacted by the fire. On March 2, over $330,000 in gift cards was distributed to 88 families as they continue to recover from the fire. The funds were granted to the Southeast Ventura County YMCA by the Ventura County Community Foundation and distributed by California Strong, a program of the Y that provides financial support to victims after disasters. The grant money was distributed at the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village.
“It was our hope to reconnect with our California Strong family who survived the Woolsey Fire in 2018 and to be supportive of their continued recovery,” says California Strong Director Mollie Vehling. “Hosting the drive-thru distribution was an incredible opportunity to not only share resources, but to share smiles, listening ears, positive energy and love. Their struggle over the past 2 years and 3 months has been hard, but this was a happy day.”