In wake of Cranston Fire, community considers how to distribute funds
After the three-day benefit concert, “Idyllwild Strong,” the community is making a plan to fairly distribute the funds raised. Organizers say the event was a success and donations are still trickling in.
While organizers don’t have a formal number yet for the amount raised, Idyllwild Fire Protection District Chief Patrick Reitz called the event the most successful event he’s seen in his time there. Reitz says it even surpassed the Fourth of July event, a historically huge event for the town in terms of visitors and revenue.
“Everybody came up to make it a success and it was unbelievable,” Reitz said.
In addition to the donations, many local business owners said the weekend brought much-needed revenue.
“This weekend was great we had lots of foot traffic and great sales,” said Kirsten Churchill, Employee, Sacred Soul Creations.
Many business owners still choose to donate part of their proceeds to victims. The weekend was such a success that the town is contemplating making it an annual event.
“The event drew them up here and got their attention and then they came up and fell in love with Idyllwild all on their own,” Reitz said.
Organizers have been compiling a list of names and groups impacted by the Cranston Fire. When it comes to distributing funds, their top priority will be individuals who completely lost their homes in the Cranston Fire and had no fire insurance.
The non-profit behind the fundraiser and festival, Young Idyllwild, is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, meaning the donations made this weekend are all tax-deductible and can be given to victims tax-free. This is different than a gofundme.com fundraiser, for example, which takes a portion of the funds raised and is also taxable. Since the Cranston Fire was started by an arsonist, they are also working with the California Victim Compensation Board to get reimbursements for evacuees.
The team behind “Idyllwild Strong” that will be working to distribute the funds consists of Young Idyllwild board members, their volunteer and donation coordinators, and a few other team members that have been involved in the event since the beginning. Funds will be given to victims in the form of checks.
If you’d like to make a last minute contribution, you can donate directly on their website here or by sending checks payable to: “Young Idyllwild Inc.” to P.O. Box 3578, Idyllwild.
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