Oregon Wine Board releases the following in collaboration with Willamette Valley Wineries Association:
This week, we are deeply saddened by the fires raging through Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties in California. Our hearts go out to the families, communities and businesses suffering. The Oregon Wine Board and Willamette Valley Wineries Association would like to be a resource to you, as many in our community have inquired about opportunities to help.
The following relief organizations have been vetted and recommended, and are working hard to assist the stricken communities:
Napa Valley Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund
The Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund, established in 2014 by Napa Valley Vintners following the South Napa earthquake, has been reactivated. Those wishing to make donations can contribute via the Community Foundation of Napa Valley’s website. The Community Foundation plans to begin distributing funds to those in need in the coming days.
Community Foundation of Sonoma County Resilience Fund
Community Foundation Sonoma County (CFSC) has launched the Sonoma County Resilience Fund to address the mid to long-term needs of the community. As funders with over 30 years of experience in grant making in Sonoma County, they will rely on CFSC’s thorough due diligence process to identify and vet organizations to receive funding. Donate online or learn more ways to give by contacting J Mullineaux.
Community Foundation of Mendocino County
The Disaster Fund for Mendocino County was created to provide disaster relief and recovery services in the aftermath of a natural disaster. In response to the Redwood Complex Fire, the Community Foundation will provide immediate needs grants to North Coast Opportunities, Inc.
Lastly, should the media reach out to you seeking comments on the fires, feel free to direct all inquiries to Emily Petterson or Sally Murdoch.
Our thoughts are of course still with our friends and neighbors in the Columbia Gorge, who will be working for some time to rebuild what was lost in the Eagle Creek Fire. If you’d like to contribute closer to home, please consider donating to the Eagle Creek Restoration Fund.
The winemaking community is resilient, collaborative and generous. We stand together in these hard times.
