Page 40 - Sonoma County Gazette April 2019

Jamie Whitelaw stands about 5’4” and is all but 100 pounds, but she carries the weight of displaced families
I hope when you are reading this that the sun is shining and that all the debris has been removed! The flood debacle certainly reminds us of the power of Mother Nature and the inability of most folks to avoid the deluges! The large redwoods outside of my cosy cyber-hut are outlined, once again, with clouds and rain. Up to now—just after the Equinox—we have received over 82” in our little corner of Cazadero. How much rainfall have you recorded this season?
As we approach Passover and Easter, there are several events to note. The Cazadero Community Church will have a Palm Sunday service at 10 a.m. on April 14th, a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. on April 19th and Easter service at 10 a.m. on April 21st. St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Guerneville offers an Easter Mass. The Russian River Jewish Community will hold its annual Passover Seder on Friday, April 19th, 5 p.m. at the Monte Rio Community Center. Members of the Jubilee Klezmer Ensemble will provide wonderful music, there will be a traditional reading of the Hagadah and a festive potluck completes this important ritual. Donation of $12.00 for members and $18.00 for non-members is requested, with children under 12 1/2 price. Please call 632- 5545 for more info and reservations (necessary).
from Sonoma County to Shasta and every town in between!
In October of 2017, her husband Tyler went to work in Santa Rosa and she woke up to his call stating he wasn’t sure if he could make it home.
“Santa Rosa is on fire”...the words went straight to her heart and broke it. She lied awake and thought of all of the people who were fleeing for their lives, with only the clothing on their backs...nowhere to go... just escape the fire, run for your life! She couldn’t stand it...she had to do something!
She phoned her best friend, Jen McCourtney and said, “Let’s go help”.
They immediately gathered items and food and went to the fire zone to help anyone they could, as well as feeding the Firefighters. People started calling her, asking how they could help...then the outpouring spread wider and wider. That was the beginning of North Bay Donate. \
The next meetings of the Cazadero Community Club will be on Tuesday, April 2nd-7 p.m.and Tuesday, May 7th at Firehall #1. Join your neighbors in planning events which benefit the entire community, such as the wonderful Old Time BBQ, which this year will be held on Sunday, September 2nd at the Cazadero Music & Arts Camp. This large fundraiser requires many volunteers and if you have a special skill that you would like to donate, please contact Club President Maureen Berry at 865-2365. Heads up to the many talented pie- makers in our midst to be sure and enter the Pie Making Contest!
When Jamie returned home, she literally broke down. Jamie is a survivor! She
is a cancer survivor who is living with
I am happy to report that the recent Montgomery School Booster’s Club Pasta Dinner was a great success - thanks to all who participated!
Fibromyalgia that has spread throughout her body. She lives in Cazadero, is a wife, a proud mother of two boys and El Molino alumni.
Sky Garden’s Cathy Schezer announces the upcoming 6th Annual Recycle Circus/Rummage Sale—with Barter and Trade, on Saturday, June 8th from 9-4 in downtown Cazadero. Booth fee is only $10.00, with handicrafts and produce booths welcome. Please call 632-5743 or email schezer@comcast.net to sign-up.
I first met Jamie when she was just a pre-teen, as she went to school with my boys. Her mom, Patti C., is well known here in Guerneville and has a full family history in the area, so yeah, they are tough! Like all of our groovy River Rats, tough and resilient, with the biggest hearts you will ever find. I asked Jamie how she does it all...her answer, “My heart is full, which takes my mind off the pain. Every family takes a little piece of us with them and that’s ok, as that is the stepping stone that helped them along their way to survival”.
I encourage you all to patronize local businesses. Many took a big hit during the flooding and we need these folks to succeed! Both the Cazadero and Duncans Mills general stores offer daily groceries, tasty sandwiches and many locally produced food, wine and body-care items. Cape Fear Cafe is open and serves delicious California-style New Orleans food. The Gold Coast Bakery and Coffee Roastery has a wonderful back deck where you may sit in the sun and enjoy delicious baked goodies, tacos and roasted on site coffee. The newly-renamed Duncans Mills Tea Shop features a terrific assortment of teas and related gift items. Cazadero Supply offers its 1st Saturday 15% Discount Day to help you with household, gardening and vehicular projects. Raymond’s Bakery has Friday Night Pizza and Music to get you out of the house.
Birthdays...Wishing a belated March 22nd birthday to Jocilyn Van Rillaer, who turned 25. Sister Jessica, studying at UCSB, will celebrate on April 17th. Tyler Cole turns 29 on April 2nd, Wes Parmeter enjoys the 5th, J.J.March on the 7th, Hannah Lockhart-Hurley turns 28 on the 9th. Corina Ryan celebrates on the 12th, along with home-grown Chris Caplan. Brooke Brady enjoys the 14th, Ryan Port-Sonenshine on the 18th, Christian Madrone on the 21st, Steve Parmeter on the 22nd Liza Brom on the 26th and Justin Thaman on the 27th.
Enjoy spring, drive carefully and call 632-5545 or email mayawrld@ sonic.net with info for your Cazadero Column!
As North Bay Donate grew, it was obvious that they needed to be a 501(c)(3), create a website and get more organized. There was a need to connect evacuees with resources and to mobilize donations. So she reached out to her alumni, family and friends. Volunteers helped create the Non-Profit they are today.
Patti C. (mom), Thomas V. (tech wizard), Sherman (first donor & advisor), Kimberly (tech & right hand who will do anything), Ashley Armstrong (designer of “Russian River Strong” t-shirts and set up of Bonfire page which has raised over $800 for flood survivors) and many, many, many volunteers!
What sets North Bay Donate apart? They don’t throw $200 at a survivor and move on. They spend countless hours delivering items all over Northern California, sit and hold hands, listen to people’s stories, hug, cry and just be silent with them.
There were 7 fires in Butte County that will take a minimum of 2 years to rebound from; possibly up to 5 yeras. These volunteers are in it for the long haul. 80% of their volunteers are survivors who are now giving back.
“We’ve gone full circle; we are proof that it is possible!”
While Jamie is here handling flood intake coordinatiion and donations, Patti is handling fire survivors. She loads up her truck and drives to Oroville, Red Bluff, Paradise, Redding, Chico, you name it. This group has created custom care packages for many who have endured fire, flood or both. They found people jobs; provided tools to go back to work, f& ound temporary housing.
Please go to their website nbdonate.org for the link to an intake form if you are in need of assistance, or want to donate via PayPal. There is a link for their registry at Amazon and Walmart as well.
Patti says “It’s all about dignity. These people have lost everything”. That is why they ask donations to be new or like new; “Would you wrap it up and give it to a close family member that you love?”
They need volunteers to work at the donation center here in town; please reach out to Jamie at info@northbaydonate.org or call her at 707-806-7946.
I asked Jamie what is needed now. The donated facility she is working out of on the corner of Woodland Drive and Armstrong Woods Rd is filling up quickly, but what specific items are needed now? “Kitchenware.....cups, glasses, dish sets, silverware.....these people have nothing to eat with”.
Watch for the band TankCrimes, who is releasing their new song called “Monte Rio” as all proceeds are going to North Bay Donate! The new Extended Player titled RussianRiverReliefFund is being donated by this band and their record label out of Oakland. Also, thank you to Mendolake Complex Fire Relief for your donation to flood survivors in our area!
40 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 4/19
Jamie Whitelaw, the grooviest person in West County! THANK YOU!!!