Firefighter support rally to be held in Paso Robles Saturday
Rally will show support to firefighters heading out to battle blaze after morning briefing
–Paso Robles resident and photographer Trisha Butcher is spearheading a rally to show the community’s support for firefighters battling the Chimney Fire. She has organized a Facebook event and is inviting the community to meet on 24th Street in front of Rite Aid and Flamson Middle Schools Saturday morning to cheer for them as they drive out to fight the blaze for the day after their 7 a.m. briefing at the Paso Robles Event Center.
Sign up for the Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/289967181382496/
“Let’s take our gratitude to another level! It’s time to show our support to all our exhausted first responders and strike teams working around the clock to keep our community safe,” she wrote on the event page. “Grab your American flags and ‘Thank You’ signs and let’s meet on 24th street sidewalks in front of Rite Aid and Flamson Middle Schools this Saturday and give them a little visual boost driving back out on the line.”
The Paso Robles Moose Lodge, located at 2548 Spring St, has offered to let the public use the lot for parking during the rally.
“Ever since we witnessed it first hand on the water, I have just wanted to give back,” said Butcher, who last week went in to take pictures of the blaze via boat. “Something, anything, just show some compassion and appreciation for how hard they are putting their lives on the line to save ours. It’s just kind of overwhelming. We owe them this. We really do. Let’s give hope and strength back to the people fighting for us.”
Other ways to help
While food donations are no longer needed at the fairgrounds, you can make a donation to the Red Cross at: www.redcross.org/chimneyfire. They are helping all of the displaced families and that number will be quickly growing as this fire expands.
Donations can also be given to Chimney Fire Animal Relief, who are helping to evacuate animals and provide aid to animal owners. Financial donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/chimneyfirefund. Pet supplies can also be dropped off at The Pet Department, located at 705 6th St, in Paso Robles or at Lemos Feed and Pet Supply at 1491 Creston Road in Paso Robles, 8405 El Camino Real in Atascadero, or 3210 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo. We ask that any pet supplies donated are new or in good/like new condition and that any food donations are unopened.
