Julian Hero's Honored by Allstate Foundation

Local wildfire "heroes" were recognized by the Julian School District board and Julian/ Cuyamaca Resource Center at a ceremony at the Julian School District offices, Wednesday, February 11. Allstate Agent Brook Daly presented 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, received $100,000 to help provide emergency food and supplies, tools and storage for 200 Julian families for one year. In addition, Julian Pathways Director Susi Jones received $30,000 on behalf of the Julian School District, which will be applied 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 outpouring of support from a variety of sources."

Last November, The Allstate Foundation joined with The California Community Foundation (CCF) to establish a $1 million fund to aid in the recovery and rebuilding efforts following the Southern California wildfire catastrophe. Charitable donations from "The Allstate Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund at the California Community Foundation" are being disbursed to applicant grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that support programs to aid rebuilding and recovery efforts in the fire-ravaged counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles and Ventura. Donations from the fund are earmarked for a variety of fire-relief needs in affected communities. Specific needs include emergency shelter, food and clothing, health issues (as a direct result of the fires), social services, mental health recovery efforts, community clean up, rebuilding and restoring community emergency services, and assistance with home re-construction resident permit processing.

The following heros were honored:

Joy Bancroft When Joy was seven, a fire destroyed her family home. In the process she lost one of her favorite toys which was never replaced. Remembering her own experience, when the Cedar Fire struck Joy wanted to make sure that no child would experience the pain that comes with the permanent loss of their most prized possession. Working in conjunction with Julian Pathways, she contacted every student in the local schools and asked them to jot down the most important item they had lost. With the help of her Rancho Santa Fe community, Joy replaced the kids' beloved items.	Nancy Shultz Although Ramona resident Nancy Shultz's home was spared during the Cedar Fire, she could not get her mind off the losses of those not as fortunate. So, she conducted a massive toy drive bringing seven truckloads of gifts to the Julian Elementary School where parents arrived to "shop" for Christmas. Many parents said their children would not have had a Christmas had it not been for Nancy and those who assisted her.	Don Winslow and Creative Artist Agency Working in conjunction with Creative Artist Agency, Julian resident Don Winslow brought in clothing items from many Hollywood stars - including Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves, and Julia Roberts. Julian's teens were thrilled to be wearing items that had been worn by some of their favorite celebrities! Don also collected money from CAA artists in order to purchase a multitude of gift cards, which were passed out to students so that they could purchase items they needed. In addition, Don raised nearly $10,000 through CAA so that Julian Pathways could supplement Club Timber-wolf, the after-school program for Julian middle schoolers. Club Timberwolf, operated by North County Lifeline, opened its doors to elementary students so that these kids could have a happy,safe, and productive place to be after school for the rest of the school year. Lori Landry, North County Lifeline
Alexis Tarbet, Social Ventures Partners, and Rescue Task Force Thirteen-year old Alexis Tarbet visited Julian soon after the fires to distribute clothes she and others had collected. Alexis requested funding through flyers, letters, and internet appeals. With the help of the Social Ventures Partners and Rescue Task Force, Alexis raised nearly $30,000. The funds were exchanged for gift cards to stores that were favorites of local teens. All told, Alexis, her dad Ted, and several of the Partners came to Julian Pathways to distribute $275 worth of gift cards to each of the 104 students who needed to replace items of clothing.

 

	Susie Jones, Julian Pathways director, was presented a check for $30,000.00 for the Julian School District by Brook Daly of the Allstate Foundation.	Glenn Bancroff, board member of the Julian/Cuyamaca Resource Center, was presented a check for $100,000.00

Superintendent of Julian Union School District, Kevin Ogden, at the meeting to honor the "heroes" held Wednesday February 11, at the Julian School District offices.