Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The Denair community as well as students at two campuses contributed in a big way to an impressive relief effort for people affected by the Butte fire in Calaveras and Amador counties.

Water and non-perishable food. Clothing, blankets and bedding. Toiletries, toothpaste and diapers. Toys and games. Pet food. Even 60 to 70 100-pound bales of hay for hungry horses.

It will take a small convoy of trucks, trailers, SUVs and other vehicles to transport it all Friday afternoon to various places in Calaveras County.

Since it began Sept. 9, the Butte fire has burned more than 71,000 acres, destroyed 365 homes and 261 outbuildings, and damaged 26 structures. Friday morning, Cal Fire estimated containment at about 60%.

The idea to help fire victims began Monday among students and staff at Denair High School and Denair Middle School.

At the high school, student Destiny Silva organized the effort. At the middle school, campus supervisor Melissa Oei – who used to live in Valley Springs, not far from the fire — has friends who have lost their homes. Students in the leadership club found out and decided they wanted to pitch in.

By midday Friday, donations were overflowing from the middle school library into the hallway outside Principal Travis Manley’s office. At the high school, cartons of water, boxes of food, piles of blankets and other items were stacked high in a vacant room across from Principal Alecia Myers’ office. Continue reading “Generosity Reflected in Community Response to Fire Relief Efforts” »

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Students and staff at two campuses in the Denair Unified School District are leading a community relief effort to help people affected by the Butte fire in Calaveras and Amador counties.

Donations of clothing, toiletries, water, non-perishable food, blankets and other basic necessities will be accepted at the main offices at Denair High School and Denair Middle School between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Both campuses are located on Lester Road.

The Butte fire has burned more than 71,000 acres since it began last week. An estimated 135 homes and more than 80 other buildings have been destroyed, and thousands of people were told to leave their houses over the weekend.

The impetus to help fire victims began Monday among students and staff at both campuses. At the high school, student Destiny Silva organized the effort. At the middle school, campus supervisor Melissa Oei – who used to live in Valley Springs, not far from the fire — has friends who have lost their homes. Students in the leadership club found out and decided they wanted to pitch in.

Donations will be accepted through lunch time Friday.

High school Principal Alecia Myers said Silva and her family intend to take what is collected to one of the relief stations in Calaveras County. Middle school Principal Travis Manley said he will drive the goods from his campus to a friend from Calaveras County and she’ll take it to the Red Cross or Resource Connection in San Andreas.

Anyone with questions should call the high school office at (209) 632-9911 or middle school office at (209) 632-2510.