State College boutique collects 5,000 pounds of goods for those affected by CA fires
Thousands of pounds of donations were collected by a Centre County business Wednesday for residents affected by the destructive California wildfires.
By A Thread Boutique, a clothing store on South Atherton Street in State College, collected donations to support disaster relief efforts. For six hours on Wednesday, owner Emily Boone said people could drop off supplies from a list and with the help of Lytle’s Transfer and Storage of Tipton, they would transport the donated items to Los Angeles.
In just that one day, Boone said they received over 5,000 pounds of goods to be donated to the LA Food Bank and the San Gabriel Humane Society, and she has a trunk full of goods that will be transported to a warehouse. Plus, they received over $300 in cash donations, which she’s using to purchase additional supplies.
“The turnout far exceeded my expectations. Every time we would get caught up on loading donations another round would come. In fact, there was a large pile of donations that were dropped before we even opened (Wednesday),” Boone wrote in an email.
Everything is loaded and ready to go on the truck, which was set to leave Friday.
Last week Southern California saw multiple wildfires break out during a “historic red flag wind event,” the Los Angeles Times reported. The firestorms have taken the lives of at least 27 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.
“I’m just so thankful to be able to be a small part in making a difference in the lives of so many in need. The loss and devastation the people of southern California are experiencing is unfathomable. I just try to put myself in their shoes and show up for them in a way I would hope someone would show up for me if the roles were reversed,” Boone wrote. “Our community and customers showed up and every donation made will make a difference in the lives of those that need it most.”
For those who are still wanting to help, Boone encourages them to donate directly to organizations, like the Pasadena Humane Society, which is currently accepting monetary donations to cover the cost of emergency medical care for the animals they’ve taken in, she said.
The LA Times published a list of organizations people can donate to, which included the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, American Red Cross and California Fire Foundation.
