Local women accepting donations to help victims of Northern California fires

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — Three local women are driving up to Sonoma next week with donations for the victims of the wildfires that are currently burning in northern California.

The transport will be leaving this coming Friday, October 20 with three box cars, two pickup trucks, a horse trailer and a 21-foot flatbed trailer to transport all donations collected this coming week.

The blazes were blamed for at least 40 deaths and destroyed some 5,700 homes and other structures. The death toll could climb as searchers dig through the ruins for people listed as missing. Hundreds were unaccounted for, though authorities said many of them are probably safe but haven’t let anyone know.

In hard-hit Sonoma County, Sheriff Rob Giordano said authorities have located 1,560 of the more than 1,700 once listed as missing. Many of those names were put on the list after people called from out of state to say they couldn’t reach a friend or relative.

The group will not be accepting donations of food or electronics. Instead, the collections will be focused on items such as toiletries, bedding, diapers, cleaning supplies, pet supplies, packaged underwear and socks, medications, and air mattresses.
 
Money donations for gas (Visa cards, not brand-specific gas stations) are also being accepted. 

Donations can be dropped off at 10487 Quail Canyon Rd, El Cajon, 92021. For more information, call 619-871-1117.