HELPING OUT: Relief for Fire Victims, assistance for sick kids, and volunteer opportunities

Fire Victims Fund established, fundraisers upcoming|

RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED SHORT-TERM & LONG-TERM

There is no shortage of ways to volunteer during the current firestorm crisis, which is sure to have long-term effects on the community of Petaluma and Sonoma County. The Red Cross has put out an urgent call for additional volunteers, both for immediate assignment, and in the ongoing future.

To volunteer, sign up online at Redcross.org.

DONATE TO HELP FIRE VICTIMS

The Petaluma Argus-Courier, along with the Press Democrat and the Sonoma Index-Tribune, have partnered with the Redwood Credit Union and a number of business leaders to raise funds quickly, recognizing the immediate need of thousands of displaced families. Every dollar goes diorectly to those affected by the fires.

Donate at Redwoodcu.org/northbayfirerelief

CHIPOTLE PLEDGES 100% OF SALES TO FIRE VICTIM CHARITIES ON WEDNESDAY OCT. 25

As an act of support for Sonoma County fire victims and evacuees, all Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants in San Francisco and the North Bay will donate 100% off sales to the Community Foundation of Sonoma County, and the Napa Valley Community Foundation, when told their meal payment should go to help wildfire vicitms and families. The fundraiser will take place Wednesday, Oct. 25, between 10:45 a.m. and 9 p.m. Make sure to mention the wildfires to the cashier BEFORE making your payment, so they can properly process the donation.

?ANNUAL CAROUSEL FUND RUN 5K

Sunday, October 29, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

“It’s a go,” says Arnie Cohen, founder of Petaluma’s Carousel Fund, of the charity’s upcoming fundraiser at Ellis Creek Park. “People are concerned about air quality, but we expect the weather to be good and the air to be clear by run day,” says Cohen, adding, “This year marks our thirtieth anniversary of helping local families with sick kids. I’m hoping the community embraces this as a way to get outdoors and celebrate life. Hopefully, hundreds will participate.”

What’s happening? Whenever a child is diagnosed with a catastrophic illness, paying for medical care is stressful. The annual Carousel Fund Run 5K race is a family-oriented opportunity to help local families struggling with such stresses.

100% of all race fees will go to the work of the Carousel Fund. Registration open until all spots are taken, or midnight on Oct. 28, whichever comes first.

Who does it help? The Carousel Fund is a Petaluma-based charity founded in 1987 to financially assist Petaluma families with sick children. The all-volunteer organization raises and distributes thousands of dollars annually.

What else should we know? The Fund Run takes place Sunday, Oct. 29, at 9 a.m., at Ellis Creek Park, 3890 Cypress Drive. $15 for a single runner/walker, $35 for a family. Carouselfund.org/news-events.

AN HISTORIC SOIREE – BENEFIT FOR ONE COLD NIGHT & SOCIAL ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

Wednesday, October 25, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

What’s happening? An estimated 25% of our County’s homeless are 25-years-old or younger. Getting off the streets and into a job or school can be a matter of life and death for such young people.

To call attention to the problem, Petaluma’s Ben Goldberg, of Simply Solar, will be sleeping outdoors for one night( Nov. 3), along with fifty other local leaders. The effort is One Cold Night, and each participant will raise money from their own community to support Social Advocates for Youth.

Everyone who makes a donation of $25 or more to Goldberg’s effort will receive a ticket to Simply Solar’s annual community event, An Historic Soiree, taking place at Hotel Petaluma on Wed, 25, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be food, drinks, music and a treasure of raffle items. Donors at the single-ticket level receive one raffle ticket. A donation of $100 or more gets four tickets to the event, plus eight raffle tickets.

Who does it help? Social Advocates for Youth is a Sonoma County non-profit focusing on homeless youth between the ages of 12 and 25.

To learn more about Social Advocates for Youth visit saysc.org.

What else should we know? To donate to Goldberg’s One Cold Night effort, visit Saysc.org, click “events,” click “One Cold Night,” then select “Ben Goldberg” from the list of participants. The page will take you the rest of the way.

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