Help From N.A.R. And Others Who Care

 It’s been well over a week now that the raging wild fires swept through and destroyed so many communities in Southern California.

I was lucky that my home remained safe and other than being unable to breathe for several days or go outside in my own backyard, I was OK. I did however, have my bags, my cat, and whatever memories and prize items I could squeeze into my small car ready to go.

Others were not as lucky as they were left without homes, cars, pets, and memories that they will never be able to get back.

Thanks to The National Association of Realtors , which donated $500,000 to go to victims of the wildfires, those who need it will get some help.

“Helping people experience the American Dream of homeownership and building our communities are what Realtors® are all about,” said National Association of Realtors® President Pat V. Combs, of Grand Rapids, Mich., and vice president of Coldwell Banker-AJS-Schmidt Combs. “We understand as Realtors® how rewarding it is to own your own home, and we can sympathize with how horrible it is to have that home go up in flames. For so many people to lose their homes in Southern California is heartbreaking.”

Others, too have helped like Petco, based in San Diego, which helped raise $140,000 to help more than 19,000 misplaced pets.

The Ford Motor Co. is donating 11 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks and nine Expeditions to the fire and rescue departments within the ravaged areas. In addition, the automaker is also contributing $100,000 to the San Diego Red Cross.

And I am sure the list goes on and on …

As the rest of us go on with our busy lives, it’s important to remember those who have to rebuild from scratch. Why not donate whatever you can by giving to the American Red Cross, and others, heck there’s even Web sites like craiglist.com that have a fire forum.