Julian Spirits Remain High, Generosity is Overwhelming

Julian resident Maureen Maclean (left) received a check for $500 along with a hug from Margaret Yeh, director or of the San Diego area for the Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation.

Story & Photo by Ruth Lepper

It looks like a giant rummage sale at the Julian Town Hall. But it’s not. This is
central headquarters for the victims of the Cedar fire.

Filling up both the upper and lower levels of the town hall are clothes, appliances, packages of food, toiletries and toys.

Outside on the sidewalk, tables are lined up with
volunteers from many
agencies offering help. Inside, volunteers, many with Julian Chamber of Commerce, are spending countless hours assisting their friends and neighbors. Some are fire
victims, themselves.

"The generosity has been overwhelming," said Barbee Skinner, who lost her home
in Cuyamaca. "It’s been just wonderful."

Generosity, indeed, abounded with representatives from the Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation USA, based
in Monrovia. They were at Julian Town Hall to meet with fire victims and be sure no one left without their blessing, a warm handmade scarf and a check for up to $500.

The 38-year-old organization responds to disaster all over the world. Margaret Yeh, who is in charge of the San Diego area, was in El Salvador at the beginning of the month to assist with housing needs. Later in the week, she was in Julian along with Buddhist
volunteers from San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and other areas.

Since the Cedar fire began on Oct. 26, the Buddhist foundation has assisted more than 1,200
victims in San Diego County.

"Even after this, we will still be in contact with them to see if we can provide them even more
assistance," said Anton Lin, of San Jose. "We don’t distinguish what kind of religion they are. We go there and give them help. What people need now is the money, financial aid. We practice this everyday. We trust people."

Fire victims who were unable
to see the Buddhist foundation representatives while they were
in Julian may call them at
(858) 546-0578 to arrange for assistance.

Chamber director Betty Birdsell sat at the Salvation Army table, giving out $50 vouchers for food from local grocery stores.

"We started doing this on Sunday (Nov. 2)," she said.
"I walked in here to see if I could find out about my fellow directors. That’s where I’ve been ever since, except for going home to sleep. People
can come here and get food vouchers. We have clothing, packaged food, supplies. We’re getting it from everywhere. We’ve got a wish list on the Internet."

The place to check for
what donations are needed is julianfirehelp.com.

Don Winslow, local actor/ writer/director/producer, knew where to turn for help for
the younger citizens in the community. He contacted his agent at Creative Artists Agency
in Beverly Hills.

"They sent boxes and boxes of new clothes for teenagers," he said. "They sent really nice cosmetics and toiletries."

And, as if that wasn’t enough, the agency sent 100 gift certificates for $75 each so the teenagers can go shopping for themselves at any Old Navy store.

Rick Campbell was one of the few residents/merchants who did not leave when the town was
evacuated.

"I own the Bird Watcher. I live right here in town. My entire life is invested in town. I was not going to leave," he said.

He said it wasn’t as bad as expected, staying through the fire watch, although one night "got a little scary." He watched the flames ascending on the town, then backing off to wreak havoc elsewhere.

"If it crested the hill, then it was coming to town," he said. "They (firefighters) were prepared for it coming into town."

While the fire didn’t destroy the town, Campbell said it is different for the businesses.

"It completely killed business
in town, 100 percent," he said. "It has been a tough couple of weeks. This is a disaster. To try to put a marketing plan together is pretty tough."

Campbell said an email has been sent to President Bush requesting 500 travel trailers to fill the need for temporary residences for those who have lost their homes.

"I wish we could get some houses and lodging back up here before we lose our citizens," he said. "We need to get people back in town."

Local merchants are seeing a few shoppers but are hoping for more as the days go by.

Debbie Hickey, the new owner of Julian Bell, Book and Candle, said she has had customers since the roads to Julian were reopened. Some have been out-of-town
shoppers and others have been local residents wanting to help
out the businesses.

"I made $33 on the first day open," she said, adding that was considerably less than an average weekday in November.

Hickey said the chamber office has been receiving numerous
telephone calls from people
wanting to know if the businesses are open. So now, with winter approaching and Christmas
shopping getting under way, the merchants are wondering who will come to shop in Julian.

Tracy Turner, owner of The Coffee Tree and Wynola Junction Antiques & Collectibles in nearby Wynola, summed it up for the business owners:

"We’re in very good spirits and waiting for everyone to come up
to go shopping."