The Southern California wildfires burned through Los Angeles and other Californian counties from Jan. 7 through Jan. 31, killing at least 29 people. According to CalFire, 1400 buildings were lost to the fires in LA alone and the Travelers Company Inc. have reported losses at $1.7 billion excluding tax and $1.3 billion including it. Additionally, the loss of fire damage balloons is estimated between $250 billion and $275 billion according to AccuWeather.
In response to the wildfire crisis in California, the Red Cross Club and Key Club decided to help in the relief effort by raising funds.
The Red Cross Club held their fundraiser from Thursday, Jan. 30 to Wednesday, Feb. 5 outside of the Bookstore. They asked for cash donations which will be donated to the American Red Cross, and they will send that money wherever it is necessary throughout California.
The acting advisor to the Red Cross Club Patrick Burns said that he has moral obligations for participating in the fundraiser.
“It’s really rough when you lose everything especially home and all your things are there, and it’s supposed to be your safe haven,” Burns said. “All your belongings are suddenly taken away from you and your place to live. You’re displaced. You don’t have anywhere to go, so I think we need to get people together and help those in need.”
Officer Ash Goodman said that she encourages people to continue helping the cause even after the fundraiser is over.
“There are families and first responders and firefighters who are losing their lives,” Goodman said. “I think as fellow Americans and fellow humans, it is our moral responsibility to help. Just because our fundraiser is over doesn’t mean that we [should] stop donating and if everyone reading feels obliged, which I hope you do, get into it and go save lives.”
Around the same time, Key Club organized their annual carnation sale in the cafeteria during lunch periods from Thursday, Jan. 28 until Thursday, Feb. 13. Students can buy carnations for their classmates for $2 a flower. Following a Key Club meeting on Feb. 13 to organize the flowers, they will deliver the flowers to first periods on Friday, Feb. 14, which is Valentine’s Day. Like the Red Cross Club, Key Club intends to donate the proceeds to the American Red Cross in California where they will use the money to build homes and other relief efforts.
President Aizah Shabaz helped sell carnations during her lunch period. She said that she is very thankful for the students who took time out of their day to donate.
“Thank you to all those who bought carnations,” Shabaz said. “The money is going towards a very great cause and hopefully, we will make a lot of profit by the end of the sales. All of your support is doing a lot.”
Shabaz said that students in Solon should be compassionate towards the victims in California.
“We should care because at the end of the day, people are people,” Shabaz said. “We need to help the community however we can, especially if something were to happen to us in Ohio. We would want other people to help out too.”
