Ten families from Living Hope Fellowship, a Charis Fellowship congregation in Chico, Calif., have lost homes in the recent wildfire that nearly destroyed nearby Paradise, Calif., according to Pastor Phil Sparling, pastor of Auburn Grace Community Church in Auburn, Calif., some 80 miles away.
The Chico church is 20 miles from Paradise. Among the families who lost their homes is the Associate Pastor Heath Jarrett, it is reported.
The Los Angeles Times this morning reported 56 deaths in the fire. Calling it the deadliest wildfire in state history, the story noted that the fire has destroyed more than 10,300 structures and scorched 138,000 acres in Butte County.
Living Hope Fellowship has set up a fund to help victims of the fires. At their home page (livinghopechico.com/), see Donate (at bottom left). Click on Quick Give (on left margin), choose amount and choose Fire Recovery (from the drop down field next to dollar amount field).
They have also asked for gift cards for food and other essentials to be given to the fire victims. Cards to major retailers and restaurants (Walmart, Target, Applebees, Jack in the Box, McDonalds, etc.) may be mailed to:
Chico Fire c/o Pastor Phil Sparling
3126 Olympic Way
Auburn, CA 95603
Encompass World Partners Crisis Response, led by Barb Wooler, has also set up a fund. They have been coordinating teams to assist with hurricane response and are planning a response team to help in the aftermath of the northern California fires. Click here for more information.