Julian honors post-wildfire community ‘heroes’
$130,000 in Allstate Foundation Wildfire Relief Grants Assist with Recovery

When the Cedar Fire devastated the Julian community leaving many of the area’s teens with only the clothes on their back, they didn’t realize they had a fairy godmother — in the form of a 13-year-old girl — looking out for them. But who else would better understand the importance style and clothing can have in a teenager’s life. Raising nearly $30,000, Alexis Tarbet provided a new wardrobe for 104 Julian teens.

Now Alexis’ actions and those of four other local wildfire "heroes"; Joy Bancroft, Nancy Shultz, Don Winslow and Lori Landry are being recognized by the Julian School District board and Julian/Cuyamaca Resource Center at a ceremony at the Julian School District offices, 1705 Capehorn Dr., on Wednesday, February 11, at 6:30 p.m. Prior to the ceremony, Allstate Agent Brook Daly will present two checks from the $1 million Allstate Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund at the California Community Foundation. Glenn Bancroft, board member of the Julian/Cuyamaca Resource Center, will receive a $100,000 check on behalf of the Center. The money is being used to provide emergency food and supplies, tools and storage for 200 Julian families for one year. In addition, Julian Pathways Director Susi Jones will receive a $30,000 check on behalf of the Julian School District, which will apply its grant toward mental health services to 110 children and families who lost their homes.

"Heroes come in all shapes and sizes," said Jones. "The Julian community is blessed to have received such an out-pouring of support from a variety of sources, from the amazing contributions of Alexis and the other four heroes we’re recognizing, to the generous financial assistance from The Allstate Foundation and The California Community Foundation."