News
Hundreds Pay Respects to King

Three Trails in 30 Years

Around the Area

Briefs

Range of Projects Displayed at Expo

Estancia Teen Gets Worldwide Education

CNM To Offer Courses in Edgewood

DWI Memorial Needs Help To Stay Open

Bidding Process To Start on Arts Center

Mother of 5 Arrested in Fatal Stabbing

More
News

HOME	CLASSIFIEDS	OBITUARIES	SPORTS	OPINION

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Red Cross Coordinating Aid for Fire Victims

By Lee Ross
Mountain View Telegraph
      Scott Snyder, an emergency services director with the American Red Cross, said it is hard for people to even know where to begin.
       “It's the first time a lot of folks have to sit down and talk about this,” he said. “That's going to flip a lot of triggers.”
       Snyder is helping with the relief effort for the Trigo Fire, which destroyed 59 homes that may include about 15 primary residences, according to Torrance County Emergency Manager John Cordova.
       Snyder pointed out that some of the victims may not be well-off to begin with.
       “(Those who) didn't have two nickels to rub together before,” he said, “… don't have two nickels to rub together now.”
       He said the Red Cross strives to make sure every family gets attention.
       Caseworkers will assist people affected by the fire from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the Estancia Community Center. Aid may include first month's rent and a security deposit, or just helping people make a plan to rebuild their lives, Snyder said.
       “It's all based on need,” he said.
       By Monday, hotel costs alone for those who weren't allowed to return home were up to about $5,000, Snyder said. A preliminary estimate of all the Red Cross' costs for humanitarian aid for those affected by the Trigo Fire, which may even include direct financial assistance, is $15,000 to $20,000, he said.
       “It's expensive to make this happen,” Snyder said.
       Another organization providing aid and succor for those in need is the Bethel Community Storehouse.
       The storehouse, on the east side of N.M. 41 south of I-40, sells donated used items and is also a food pantry. Snack packets filled with “comfort food” are being prepared for the victims.
       The business end of the storehouse — opposite the area where donations are received and sorted — is filled with clothing, books, games and all the odd items one would expect to find in a thrift store. The organization has been a fixture in the community for more than two decades.
       Started in 1987 by the Bethel United Methodist Church to provide food and clothing for church members in need, the program was expanded communitywide in 1989, and in 1991 it was incorporated as a nonprofit organization.
       “We do a wide range of services,” said executive director Linda Smith.
       The storehouse provides those in need with food, clothing and toiletries, and has put people up in motel rooms and even referred people for counseling. She said there will be an emergency meeting to decide on how much the storehouse could give out in cash donations.
       “It's a community effort. Everybody needs to pitch in in times like these,” Smith said.
       The storehouse is asking for donations of food and other items for those affected by the fire. Smith said new toothbrushes, shampoo, toothpaste and cash donations would be appreciated.
       “When you lose everything, you just, you have needs,” she said. “It goes beyond just food and clothes.”
       The storehouse accepts donations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays, and from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays, or call 832-6642.
       Those wishing to donate to the Mid-Rio Grande Chapter of the American Red Cross can call 265-8514 or go to www.redcrossalbq.org.
       The Torrance County Project Office will coordinate assistance for victims of the Trigo Fire, according to a news release. Contact the office at 832-0332.
      

---