When the Camp Fire swept through the town of Paradise, California, the greater Medford area came together to help the families who lost their homes and belongings to the flames.
Now, the “I C.A.R.E.” campaign is back. This time, helping the people in their own community.
Pastor Lee Gregory at the Medford Neighborhood Church told NewsWatch 12 they are restarting the campaign to help the people who have been displaced due to the fires that ravaged Southern Oregon this week. Gregory drove near the Phoenix area on Wednesday morning and saw the destruction caused by the Almeda Drive Fire.
“I have just seen a lot of our local residents are without homes,” Gregory said as his voice broke with emotion.
Gregory said all donations should go through the Medford Neighborhood Church and pledged 100 percent of the donations will go to families who were displaced by the fires in Southern Oregon. Donations can be mailed to the church and should be noted “I C.A.R.E.” or can donate online through the church’s PayPal account (those donations should also be designated “I C.A.R.E.”).
The pastor also said he is working with local churches to have them open their parking lots for people with RVs and trailers to have a place to stay.
“I just want you to know we’re going to have a lot of displaced families,” Gregory said. “I pledge every penny will help those who are displaced by this fire.”
Gregory knows how devastating these fires can be. He is a Paradise, California-native helped move relatives out of Paradise in 2018 during the deadliest fire in California history. Last night, he had to move some relatives again out of the Phoenix-Talent area as the Almeda Drive Fire approached their home.
“It’s a bit of a nightmare repeating itself,” Gregory said when recalling moving his relatives.
Now the Senior Pastor at Medford Neighborhood Church is hoping to help those in his community to rebuild.
“I invite all the kind people of the region… if you want to know every donation will get those in need, we’re there,” Gregory said.