Weed Rebuilding Effort Gets $105,000
City Of Weed Rebuilding Effort Gets $105,000
United Way to support new Community Center in Siskiyou County
The Board of Directors of United Way of Northern California (UWNC) has approved the disbursement of the remaining $105,608 in the agency’s Boles Fire Relief Fund. The money will help finance the rebuilding of the City of Weed’s Community Center, the capstone of the town’s efforts to rebuild after a devastating fire three years ago.
The Community Center will include the main event hall, recreation room, exercise gym, pool and spa, dance studio, conference rooms and commercial kitchen. The total cost of the project is $4.2 million. Insurance proceeds and contributions from the McConnell and Ford foundations provided the bulk of the funding. The building is expected to open in the summer of 2018.
United Way, assisted by Tri Counties Bank, set up its Boles Fire Relief Fund within days of the Sept. 15, 2014 wildfire that destroyed more than 150 structures, including the previous Community Center. The Boles Fund ultimately would collect – and distribute – a total of $202,378. One hundred percent of the money donated went directly to the relief effort.
UWNC’s distributions were made in close consultation with the community-based Weed Long Term Recovery Group. Earlier requests funded included salary support for reconstruction team caseworkers; equipment and labor for clean-up crews; fire-fighting equipment, fire extinguishers and fire safety classes; and support for community events such as a fundraising barbecue and the annual Harvest Carnival.
UWNC’s fund was part of a broad response to the wildfire by government agencies, the non-profit sector and the community at large. Shasta Regional Community Foundation established a Community Disaster Relief Fund that raised $641,356 for Boles Fire survivors, ultimately granting $72,512 in support for the Community Center rebuild.
“We are pleased and proud to stand with the many outstanding organizations that stepped up to support the community after this devastating incident,” said Larry Olmstead, President & CEO of United Way of Northern California. “The Weed Recreation and Parks District are creating a Community Center that will stand as a permanent symbol of the town’s resilience and spirit.”
About United Way of Northern California:
United Way of Northern California (UWNC) was established in Redding in 1953 and serves nine counties: Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity. Its mission is to fight for the education, income, and health of all residents in the community. UWNC raises funds for non-profit agencies and operates two 24/7 human services helplines: 2-1-1 Shasta and 2-1-1 Tehama, collectively known as 2-1-1 NorCal. For more information about United Way of Northern California visit www.norcalunitedway.org.