Golden Valley Bank Community Foundation

At 6:33am on Thursday, November 8th, the Camp Fire broke out near the town of Pulga, CA. Fueled by low humidity and high winds, the fire quickly grew beyond control. Directly in the fire’s path was the town of Paradise, where 27,000 people resided. By the time the sun went down that same day, the entire town was reduced to ash.

We are a group of NYC-based alumni from Chico State University, which is located just a few miles from Paradise. We are heartbroken to hear the stories of our professors, our friends, and our friends’ families who have lost everything in what has become California’s most destructive and deadliest fire and we are devastated that we are unable to be there in person to support our loved ones.

Please join us as we raise money to support fire relief efforts and celebrate the strength and resilience of Northern California. If you are located in New York City, we have planned a casual evening of drinks along with a special cabaret on Monday 12/10 at Coney Island Baby (169 Avenue A) and hope you will join us.

If you are able to join us in person on 12/10, please donate here to help support us. All funds raised here and during the event will be donated to the Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund, which is supported through the Golden Valley Bank Community Foundation. 

Sierra Nevada, owned by the Grossman family of Chico, is one of the backbones of Butte County. They have already established themselves as one of the community leaders of the recovery from the fire, and we hope to support and amplify their efforts.

Videomaker and One Mobile Projector per Trainer are seeking support for coworkers, contributors and community members impacted by the Camp Fire


On Thursday, November 8th the city of Paradise was struck by what is now the most destructive and deadliest wildfire in California history. As of today, the following Tuesday, 7,600 structures have been destroyed, the vast majority of which are people's’ homes. The blaze has consumed 125,000 acres and is only 30% contained. Forty-two people have lost their lives and 200 remain missing. The blaze continues to threaten nearby cities including Chico , located right at the fire’s western edge.

 
Serving the video making community for 30 years, Videomaker has found an incredibly supportive home in Chico, California. This community has also allowed One Mobile Projector per Trainer (OMPT) to grow from a dream by Videomaker’s founder into an organization that provides aid to neglected populations throughout the developing world. The small-town closeness of Chico and Paradise has never been as apparent as it has the past few days.

Videomaker and OMPT Staff members are hosting friends and family displaced by the fire. Business are opening their doors to evacuees. Food and clothing drives are overflowing with supplies. Chico might not be the tech hotspot one might expect for an international magazine like Videomaker or a nonprofit like OMPT, but we wouldn’t trade it for anything else.



The impact of this blaze has been felt throughout the local community, including the shared offices of Videomaker and OMPT. A quarter of our staff have been displaced by the fire and several lost their homes. In an effort to do our part in providing support for our community, Videomaker and OMPT are asking for donations for our co workers impacted by this devastating blaze. Any money raised will go directly towards supporting affected Videomaker and OMPT staff, contributors and community members.

All donations are tax deductible, and go directly to the Golden Valley Bank Community Foundation before being distributed to those with the greatest need. 100% of the funds will go directly to victims of the Camp Fire.

Even if you’re unable to contribute financially, simply sharing this campaign and message among your friends and family can go a long way.

With all of our heartfelt gratitude and thanks,
Videomaker and OMPT staff