How Generous Donations are Impacting Northwest Fire Survivors

By Isaac Meythaler,

UCC Communications Coordinator

Following a surge in northwest wildfires, ACS has currently (as of August 12) raised more than $10,000 through generous donations towards disaster response. 

Here are just a few ways that donations are being used to share hope and wellness with fire survivors: 

Throughout the conference, local churches are responding to immediate needs in the community, giving out cleaning supplies, helping to clear rubble, and much more. 

In Nespelem, ACS has distributed more than $3,000 in gas vouchers for survivors, easing the burden for those impacted. Another $3,000 in gift cards was distributed through community partners to those affected by the Chelan Hills fire. Yet another $3,000 in gift cards was distributed in Spokane. 

In Spokane, ACS is working in tandem with Spokane County Emergency Management to bring relief to fire survivors. Upper Columbia Conference ACS representative Wendy Urbin has served as one of the lead coordinators for the Disaster Assistance Center (DAC), located at Shadle Park High School, bringing together more than 70 government agencies and non-profit organizations in one location to make it easier for fire survivors to access assistance and get answers to their questions. 

“Welcoming and serving those impacted, we’re the first people hearing their stories, their loss, and their pain,” said Urbin. “Our volunteers have gone above and beyond. It’s very emotional walking with survivors, listening, and helping them take the next steps. They’re so appreciative — we can see that it makes a difference.”

From Thursday, August 7, to Wednesday, August 12, Urbin has coordinated local ACS⁠ volunteers to serve daily at the Spokane DAC from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. guiding fire-impacted residents to recovery resources based on their needs. 

In addition to these on-the-ground projects, Adventist Community Services is also helping coordinate a broader response by preparing to manage donation logistics as the community transitions into long-term recovery. 

Initial plans were to source and open a warehouse by Monday, August 17. However, on Friday, August 7, the Spokane County had already secured a space for the warehouse. Within an hour, the ACS team received a request to have the warehouse operational by Monday, August 10. 

On short notice, a team of more than 40 volunteers from Spokane Valley Adventist Church arrived the next day on Saturday night to clean and organize the space. Within 45 minutes, the warehouse space was emptied and cleaned.

On Sunday, another team of volunteers, along with His Travelers staff — a UCC summer program offering traveling VBS support — put in 11 hours preparing the warehouse for full operation by that night.

Beginning on Monday, August 10, the donation distribution center opened from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. receiving donations, sorting, and distributing resources to those affected by fires.

ACS will initially be working through local churches to staff volunteer needs at the donation distribution center. However, additional volunteer opportunities will be available in the coming weeks.

A web platform for managing volunteers, both for the donation center and for local projects around the conference, is currently in progress. 

This work is vital but is less visible. As Richie Brower, director of community engagement at Upper Columbia Conference recently said, "there is a tremendous amount of unseen work going into a well-coordinated response."

Wildfire season is not over. While recent fires are approaching containment, there is a need to be prepared across our territory if conditions shift or new emergencies arise.

Continued financial support is appreciated, as recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. ACS is ensuring that relief efforts are truly effective and will continue to support fire survivors long after initial media coverage fades. 

Currently, ACS is accepting donations of new (and packaged) food, clothing, and hygiene supplies at the following address: NorthTown Mall, 4750 N Division St, Spokane, WA 99207. The warehouse is located in the upper southeast corner of the mall, near the former Sears space.

For additional information on how ACS is responding, or to sign up for future volunteer opportunities, see uccsda.org/acs. If interested in volunteering, you can also contact richieb@uccsda.org, including any relevant skills or certifications that may be of note. You can also donate today at news.uccsda.org/fireoffering826.