Tuesday afternoon, after my wife, daughter, and family pet returned from the mandatory evacuation of Scripps Ranch, I set about compiling a list of items reportedly required at various local evacuee shelters. Temple Beth Israel by UTC reportedly required bedding for 100 seniors taken in from nursing homes. Poway Community Center was reported to need bedding and clothing. At Fiesta Island, a mother and daughter reported being cold in their truck and asked for blankets or sleeping bags. Fiesta Island was one of the last places in San Diego County where evacuees could take large animals after the 1500 horse stalls and other facilities filled up at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and the Polo Club. There was one caveat, owners had to stay with their animals. Qualcomm Stadium reportedly needed just about everything – food, paper products, chairs, clothing, bedding, etc.
After gathering bags of clothing, bedding, eight sleeping bags, and cash, I set out like Santa on my rounds. What I found was this: Poway was accepting money donations at www.PowayRotary.org but the Rotary volunteers said they had everything they could use. Not just the minimum or just the basics, but everything. Temple Beth Israel had already received bedding for the seniors. At Fiesta Island I rolled down my window and mentioned to the gentleman directing traffic that I heard they had some cold people sleeping there. He asked where I heard that. I told him about the Channel 8 TV report and radio interview to which he responded, “They’re killing us [with kindness –ed.], we can’t take any more donations”. Finally, I turned toward Qualcomm where I found an army of volunteers sorting a mountain of donations and an hour long line of people waiting to contribute. Apparently, the excess was going straight to the Salvation Army for redistribution.
I returned home with an incredible sense of awe and a renewed faith in my neighbors. Where else besides America’s Finest City could 300,000 people be evacuated and then be supplied through donations with everything the evacuation centers required within 24 to 48 hours? I have been smiling and thinking of other ways to help ever since.
