School and organization set to help victims of fire

Golden Valley High School will be the site of a donation drive Thursday as students and the organization Students NextUp partner to help the victims of the Woolsey fire, which is affecting thousands of Southern California residents.

Golden Valley student Dean Douglas was driving on campus this weekend taking in the “perfect view of the area” when he noticed the flames peeking over the valley’s hills.

“Everything was so devastating,” Douglas said. “I went into a place of shock and was frightened.”

Having been evacuated in the Sand Canyon Fire, which occurred right behind his home in 2016, Douglas said, “I know what it feels like to not know if you’re ever going to go home again. I felt for those people.”

Douglas said he thought about what he’d want if he were back in the same situation, which prompted him to come up with the idea of a donation drive.

“I thought a drive would be most helpful to those people, kids and animals who may be feeling scared or at a loss,” Douglas said. “A lot of families have lost a significant piece of their lives in the fire. We simply want to help out any way we can.”

“Right now, we are collecting supplies for Castaic Animal Shelter, such as leashes, beds, food and toys, along with children’s commodities,” Douglas said. The group is attempting to create comfort care baskets for the kids, which will include small stuffed animals, markers, stickers and figurines.

The items should be new and can be brought to campus on Wednesday or Thursday, Douglas said. Donors who are unable to attend should contact studentsnextup@gmail.com to arrange a drop-off.