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We at Custom Health are going to donate 100% of our retail profit in November towards the help of rebuilding southern California. If you are interested in buying some products that are good for you and your family while supporting victims of the wildfires in California visit our website and purchase some products. But be sure to drop us an e-mail if you have any questions. customhealth@gmail.com

This article is taken from the Lutheran Disaster Response.

Southern California Wildfires
An update from Lutheran Disaster Response

October 24, 2007

More than 20 wildfires continue to burn and grow across southern California, fueled by the strong and persistent Santa Ana winds and drought conditions across most of the region. At this emergent stage in this disaster, Lutheran Disaster Response and its affiliate agency, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, are assessing the needs of the affected communities. Lutheran Disaster Response coordinator Tempie Beaman has been in near constant communication with local clergy as well as representatives from the ELCA Pacifica and Southwest California Synods and the LCMS Pacific Southwest District. Additionally, she has coordinated a number of Lutheran chaplains to provide spiritual care to evacuees at a number of shelters in the area.

Recent news reports state that nearly 1,500 homes have been completely destroyed with the worst of the damage concentrated in San Diego County. Perhaps more astoundingly, nearly one million people have been ordered to evacuate their homes as fires continue to spread unpredictably. Some of those evacuees are seeking temporary shelter at places like Qualcomm Stadium, home of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers, as well as at schools, churches, and homes of family and friends. With thanksgiving, it is also being reported that the volunteers who have organized at local shelters to help those displaced nearly outnumber the evacuees themselves.

Bishop Murray Finck, ELCA Pacifica Synod, reports that a number of clergy from the synod have been part of the evacuation orders as well as countless members of Lutheran congregations. At this time, Bishop Finck is not aware of any church structures that have been affected, but he and his staff continue to monitor the news for information. Leaders from the Southwest California Synod and Pacific Southwest District are also reporting that no church structures have been reported as affected at this time.

Contrary to some news reports that seem to be focused on the wealthy, this disaster is likely to have an impact across economic classes. Southern California, like other densely populated areas, is home to many who are underprivileged, including a large population of undocumented persons. While the full extent of this tragedy is yet to be seen, there is likely to be a need for Lutheran Disaster Response to assist in the long-term recovery process, and it will be our mission to seek out those who may otherwise be overlooked or underserved.

Seven counties in total have been declared both federal and state emergency areas, and emergency responders, namely fire crews from around the state, continue to battle the fires, assist families in evacuating, and care for any injured. The weather continues to be uncooperative with wind gusts reaching near-hurricane speeds and dry, hot air continuing to blow in from the desert. Cooler air and moisture are expected to arrive towards the end of the week which will be a welcome relief to residents wanting to return home and firefighters struggling for containment.

At this time, we pray for the many communities in southern California that continue to watch and wait for the fires to be contained. We pray for the local, state, and federal officials who are aiding in the early response to this tragedy. And we pray for the hundreds of thousands who are displaced from their homes and feeling uncertainty about what exactly the future holds.