Lake Arrowhead Needs Some Love (and less snow)

 

The news from the San Bernardino Mountain communities has been heartbreaking. My in-laws lived in Lake Arrowhead for more than twenty years, and when my children were young, we spent most of our holidays with them in the mountains, so the area is near and dear to me.

Because of the freak snowstorms, many of the residents were trapped in their homes for weeks without food or medicine. Roofs have collapsed, and houses with clogged gas lines have exploded. Thirteen people have died.

I've wanted to help but didn't know how. I've decided to donate all of this week's proceeds from my book Whispers Over Wildrose Road to the donation center in Blue Jay Village.

Here are some of the pictures I've taken in Lake Arrowhead over the years.

Here's an excerpt from a post on the Lake Arrowhead Facebook page pleading for donations. (I don't know the name of the woman who wrote this.)

There are still those in need of assistance. A sweet woman named Carla came in to the Blue Jay cinema yesterday and shared her heartbreaking story with us. Early on in the storms, she went down the hill to get needed items for her neighbors and herself and was not allowed back up when they closed the hwy. She convinced a Southern California Edison truck to take the items to Goodwins parking lot where a neighbor picked them up. She and her dog Charlie spent two days sleeping in her truck at the bottom of the hill. While waiting, she received a text from a neighbor that the roof of her home in Crestline had collapsed. It was red tagged and she was not allowed to return. She stayed at the Red Cross shelter where she has received assistance, until recently when she was able to secure a rental. She told us that she wished she were under the house when it happened because it has been so depressing and difficult for her to realize she’s lost everything!  She’s unable to retrieve any of her lifelong belongings. She shared stories of special keepsakes that her mother made that are in that home. She had thin mesh shoes on that the Red Cross gave her. Not even a jacket on her back in the cold rain. We filled up boxes of items that might help during her transition. One of our community’s awesome volunteers, and the epitome of a true gentleman, Gio, is on a mission today to bring her snow boots and a jacket and will check on her regularly. I share this story because there are many like Carla who have lost everything and are now grieving. Yes, the snow is melting, yes, we are recovering, but there is still much healing to be done. If you know someone who is struggling because of the storms, please visit us. BLUE JAY CINEMA 11-5pm daily We will continue to remain open daily, as long as we receive donations, and the weather is permitting.

 

Of course, they need help now. More snow is expected this week. So, I'll send my donation on Friday. Typically, I would like to make this promotion last longer, but I'm afraid if I extend it, the donation center will close.