Local musicians host concert to benefit Idyllwild Help Center

The Cranston Fire is at 96% containment as of Sunday. Full containment is still expected by Thursday August 9th.

The town of Idyllwild has been coming together to support each other and those affected by the fire. On Sunday, singer songwriters Jen Hajj and Brett Perkins organized a concert benefiting the Idyllwild Help Center.

“My idea was, let’s do it because people need to gather […] just to be in each other’s company. It’s so important after a crisis because [there are] so many emotions,” said Perkins.

The Idyllwild Help Center has been working hard to provide food and supplies to those affected by the fires, and they are welcoming all kinds of donations including food, funds and toiletries. “They’re just a beautiful resource and they’ve been working overtime to make sure people have what they need after the fire…so many people have been struggling,” said Hajj, who also lives in the area.

Locals say the fire has, however, brought the town together in a remarkable way. “It’s amazing. It’s really a bonding kind of a thing. Before everyone would just walk around and not look at each other…but now it’s like, ‘Wow! I’m glad you’re here. You made it,” said Les Gin, a resident of Idyllwild present at the concert.

This is one of several events locals have put on in the past week to help raise funds for the town. “Music is very healing. It’s the most healing thing that I do and the most healing thing that my friends do. So it was a way that we could help,” said Hajj.

For anyone who would like to support those affected by the Cranston Fire, the town says they will be hosting an event called “Idyllwild Strong,” a Cranston Fire benefit festival, the weekend of August 17th-19th. There will be over 40 bands, auctions, raffles, vendors and donation stations.