17-05-2025
CityServe hosts Volunteer Day to aid Southern California fire victims
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — CityServe in Bakersfield, hosted Volunteer Day Friday in an effort to gather clothing for fire victims, because the need is still great.
It's been over four months since the historic wildfires ripped through Los Angeles killing 30 people, and leaving thousands of homes in ruins.
The families who survived nature's fury are still struggling to get the essentials.
{Pastor Will Gutierrez/ CityServe disaster response} Sot: 'You're seeing the complete devastation. Businesses that were once standing, gone. Homes that were once there, gone. Families weeping in front of what was once their home…their children's home,' said Pastor Will Gutierrez, apart of CityServe disaster response.
Pastor Will Gutierrez is CityServe's disaster responder. He says the fire victims in Southern California have been forgotten.
'You know, a lot of the coverage is not there anymore with those families that have lost their homes, lost their resources. So, for churches and organizations come together and continue to serve them and help rebuild their lives is important,' said Gutierrez.
Gutierrez says big box stores like JC Penney have donated thousands of brand new clothes to the cities of Altadena, and Pasedena.
Now, volunteers at CityServe headquarters in Bakersfield are donating their time to sort them.
'We're just helping with the community,' said Vicky Mendoza, with New Advances for People with Disabilities. 'We love it.'
'I want help more, yes,' said Michelle Apodaca, a volunteer. 'Help them, yes.'
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Members with the New Advances for People with Disabilities are helping fire victims one shirt at a time, and so is Ernie Sanchez.
'It's like a double-whammy to them, you know. First the fires, then the insurance loss. So, you know, they can use all the help they can get, and I have time on my hands, and I figure I've been blessed all my life,' said Ernie Sanchez, a volunteer. 'Why not help others that need help. That's why me, and my wife come out and support whenever we can.'
Gutierrez says CityServe has donated millions worth of products from food, water, and hygiene products to air purifiers, toilets, and sinks.
'They need, and I believe we need our community to continue to come together, and serve them,' said Gutierrez.
If you'd like to donate or volunteer to help the fire victims in Southern California, click here.
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