When the Los Angeles fires devastated countless families, Nancy Crawford, President of the Rotary Club of Santa Maria Noontime, knew they had to act. With compassion and a shared commitment to service, they organized a community donation drive to provide immediate relief.
With overwhelming support from local residents and neighboring Rotary clubs, along with partner Care Connection Transport Services, the Rotary Club of Santa Maria Noontime collected donations, including men’s, women’s, and children’s clothes, shoes, blankets, pet items, and essential supplies such as toilet paper, diapers, wipes, non-perishable food, N95 masks, and paper towels. Volunteers worked tirelessly to sort and bag the items, ensuring they were ready for distribution upon arrival in Los Angeles.
On the morning of January 20th, at 5:00 a.m., a caravan of a U-Haul, bus, van, and truck—packed to the brim with over 1,037 bags of clothes and blankets and 284 boxes of essentials—embarked on the journey from Santa Maria to Los Angeles. Upon arrival, they were greeted by DGE Gilda Moshir from District 5300, who warmly welcomed the team. Together, they unloaded the donations as Rotarians in Los Angeles marveled at the outpouring of generosity.
In addition to physical items, the club also raised $1,500 in monetary donations to further support the relief efforts. This collaborative effort highlighted the power of communities coming together to make a difference. The donations brought hope and comfort to those in need, truly embodying Rotary’s motto: “Service Above Self.”
