Clothing drive at law school to benefit Valley wildfire victims Law student organizes week-long drive to aid those in need

On Saturday, Sept. 12, three wildfires began to burn the region north of the vineyards of Napa in Northern California, spawning mass evacuations in haste. Homes were destroyed and  families are left in some cases with little to nothing in hand.

Morgan Yaeger, a student at Chapman’s Fowler School of Law, is organizing a clothing drive at the Fowler School of Law for one week. A donation bin will be placed in the law school building lobby next week, Sept. 28 – Oct. 2, allowing students, faculty, and staff to donate clothes. The items that can be donated are those that would dress any and all ages, sizes, and gender – any contribution would be appreciated. Donated clothing should be clean and not in need of repair.

Yaeger has a connection to one of those uprooted families: her grandparents lost their home in the fire. Due to her proximity of the effects of the fire, she has seen the devastation of the now homeless people first-hand. She has especially noticed the pain for those without family to support them. The clothing drive is one way she feels she, and others, can help.

Although there has been so much support from individuals and business-organized drives in the North, Yaeger wanted to develop and expand that same support in the Southern part of California.

She emphasizes the importance of clothing in the efforts to support those affected by the Valley fire.

“Those evacuated will not be able to return to their homes for a few more weeks … [but even] when the evacuees are eventually able to return, many will go back to nothing and will have to start over completely,” Yaeger said.

Information about the Valley fire (as of Sept 24, 2015 6:45 am):

– It started Saturday, September 12

– Affected Lake, Napa and Sonoma Counties

– 76,067 acres have been burned

– The fire has been 85% contained

– 3,043 residential structures threatened

– 1,910 structures destroyed

– 4 firefighter injuries, 4 civilian fatalities

To follow information on the fire, visit: http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=1226