Outpouring of support, donations head to Napa, Sonoma counties
Lodi wineries, groups among flood of donations to California wildfire victims
With the outpouring of donations for wildfire victims in Napa and Sonoma counties, donation centers have stopped accepting physical donations as they are completely full and are now requesting monetary or gift card donations only, according to Don Parker, the founder of Lodi Vines Wine Shipping whose shipment was only accepted by a donation center in Pengrove because it contained food.
“We got there yesterday, and they almost turned us away with a full truckload. If it didn’t have food, we would have been turned away. It was unbelievable how many people showed up. As they were unloading a truck, they must have turned away 50 people,” Parker said.
Lodi Vines’ shipment was directed to the Pengrove overflow center as the main donation center in Petaluma was already at capacity, as are many others in the area according to Parker.
Collection of the donations was organized by Taylor Kininmonth, owner of Sip Shuttle, a service that takes guests to wine tastings at many of Lodi’s wineries. Kininmonth first posted a video on her Facebook page last Wednesday asking for donations, partnering with local businesses such as Elite Wine Shipping and Storage and Morada Produce Company who provided trucks to deliver the donations, as well as setting up collection centers at Klinker Brick Winery, Jessie’s Grove Winery, m2 Wines, Scotto’s Wine and Cider and more. By last Friday, they were able to fill two semi-trucks with approximately 48 pallets of clothes, food, water, toiletries and other items.
“It was awesome to see the way that the Lodi community came together to help,” Kininmonth said.
Jessie’s Grove alone collected approximately 20 pallets of donated goods, according to Wine Team Manager Sarah Williams. Although the winery has stopped accepting physical donations at this time, Williams said, Grace and Mercy in Lodi is still accepting goods. Additionally, Jessie’s Grove has set aside two 5-acre pastures for any evacuees with animals or recreational vehicles that may need the space.
“We were really touched, shocked and awed to see the outpouring of help,” Williams said.
m2 Wines has also stopped accepting donations, and is preparing to send out their shipments in two pickup tricks later this week, according to events coordinator Lisa Lopes. Lopes said that she contacted the Rob, Anybody and Dawn Radio Show on 98.5 FM, KRXQ Sacramento to notify them that the winery would be accepting donations from Thursday until Sunday, with one pickup truck filled with cases of bottled water as well as nonperishable food coming from Galt to help out.
“We started collecting donations on Friday. We loaded a pickup bed full of water, dog food and nonperishable food. I think we got 20 sleeping bags in there. We filled the other pickup with diapers, toiletries, clothes, blankets and bedding. They guys are going up on Wednesday with those shipments,” Lopes said.
Emerald Tattoo and Piercing, located at 2525 S. Hutchins St., Lodi, is also collecting donations to be picked up between 7 and 9 p.m. on Thursday, according to a press release from the shop.
The shop is requesting items to make basic medical packages, such as hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, adhesive bandages, cotton balls, brand new washcloths, tweezers, nail clippers and antiseptic ointment.
They are also requesting items such as work gloves, small hand shovels and rakes and large, heavy duty plastic garbage bags to help clean up areas affected by the fires.
Those wishing to make monetary donations should make checks payable to the “Emerald Foundation.” For more information, call 209333-8282.
Although donation centers have stopped accepting physical goods, they are still requesting donations of both cash and gift cards, so that evacuees who lost their homes can purchase the things they need to begin to rebuild their lives, according to Bob Highfill, marketing and communications manager for the Lodi Winegrape Commission.
“What we’re hearing is that shelters in the affected areas are not asking for anymore physical donations. What they are asking for are cash and gift card donations. We were accepting donations at the Lodi Wine and Visitor’s Center, but now that they are at capacity, too, we’re directing people to cawinestrong.com. We’re hoping that our donations will be picked up this week, but we’re not accepting any more,” Highfill said.
Those interested in making monetary donations can visit www.cawinestrong.com for a list of agencies that are accepting donations of cash, checks or gift cards.