Members of the Associated Builders and Contractors chapter in San Diego have been working hard to help victims of the wildfires in Southern California. The ABC chapter volunteered to assemble relief kits and deliver supplies to the families whose homes were destroyed and to firefighters battling the blaze.
Working with state Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, the San Diego ABC has also organized the East County Fire Relief Fund and pledged to raise $50,000 for the recovery effort. The chapter has received more than $10,000 in donations from members and has received pledges of more than $30,000.
On Nov. 1 chapter staff worked with volunteers from several construction supply companies to assemble relief kits. The kits contained wheelbarrows, shovels, buckets, brooms, particle masks, bottled water and a hand-held sifting device that will help sift through the ash for salvageable items. Approximately 500 kits were completed and delivered to assistance centers in East San Diego County in one day.
According to George Hawkins, ABC San Diego executive vice president, his chapter’s members have volunteered to do everything from contact other members about the relief effort to use their own trucks to transport materials to the relief sites.
“I’m amazed and impressed by the willingness of ABC members and the community in general to help with this relief effort,” said Hawkins.
Members have also stepped up to help firefighters by providing food and supplies directly to the fire’s front line. A convoy of five trucks delivered hot hood to fire camps throughout eastern San Diego County.
For those who want to contribute their construction knowledge, the chapter is compiling a list of people who can help rebuild homes that were destroyed by the fires. The chapter is also working with Home Depot to recruit craftspeople to donate labor for the effort. To make a donation for the fund or to donate your services, e-mail the San Diego ABC at [email protected].
