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Volunteers answering the call…

Posted: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 10:40 AM

By Martin Savidge, NBC News Correspondent

SAN DIEGO – In the pre-dawn chill the lines are starting to form at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium. They aren't Chargers fans and they aren't evacuees – they are volunteers.

Many of them signed up on-line and selected a time frame to be here. Six a.m. to 10 a.m.; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. And so on.

They are all ages and from all walks of life. Some are students and some are between jobs. Many have day jobs and chose the early shift to help out before going to work at their regular jobs.

VIDEO:  Family's home survives unscathed by wildfires in area 

Some came to escape the smoke in their neighborhoods. Some are coming from areas not threatened at the moment. Others are coming from homes that sit in harm’s way, volunteering to take their minds off what they might find gone by the end of the day. 

Maria Jackson is one of them. She will pick up trash or whatever else is needed to be done for four hours before going to work as an operator for AT&T.

Last night she watched the fires looming round her home. This morning she's answering a different call. Helping others is helping her. Many standing in the volunteer line feel the same way.

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Comments

can u please tell me where i can sign up to volunteer in los angeles to help with the wildfire victims?

staci los angeles california (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 11:27 AM)

Its a shame that these people are trying to volunteer to help with a serious situastion and try to save their homes or the home of others and the STATE of CALIFORNIA has laid so many "seasonal firefighters" off and has not called some of them back at this time. Sounds like CALIFORNIA has some very callous or not very bright people working in its forestry department. Volunteers are good, but its always better to have experienced personnel on site when you have an emergency of such large proportions.

Jesse DeBord, Louisville, KY. (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 12:25 PM)

Too bad the citizens in Louisiana didn't have this attitude during the Katrina crisis

R (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 12:32 PM)

A great example of what the American people can and will do if the government gets out of the way.

Gary, Illinois (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 12:42 PM)

I have a closet full of clothes (also comforter, sheets etc) I would like to send - where is the best place to donate?

Martha Alton, chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 12:42 PM)

R, pardon me for shouting, BUT PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE IN THE AREA WAS AFFECTED BY KATRINA. You can make whatever comparisons you want concerning the disaster response to Katrina vs. these fires on the state and federal level, but don't go there on the volunteer response. It's simply unfair.

Shelley, Pennsylvania (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 12:54 PM)

I am not affected by the fires - only smoke, ash, etc.  An absolute nothing compared to thousands of others.

However, it pains me to see A N Y criticism of the firefighters - these men and women - some - have not had a break for days - 24/7 put their lives on the line to save life and property.  And hundreds of hindered their fire fighting for not leaving their homes as recommended.  F.F. then have to come back FURTHER risking their lives - for those who selfishing stayed behind.  

And those who criticize not enough air power - is it not a no brainer when horrific S.A. are blowing - sometimes at 100mph - these planes aren't allowed to be airbourne.

But then there are those who would complain if they were hung with a new rope - and so it goes.

I applaud our firefighters - we have the best and the best trained.  And I applaud those who have come from other venues to help.

My prayers are with each of them and their familes.

So the rest of you complainers - get real - and find something to be thankful for.

Anne Magnolia (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 12:56 PM)

Seeing that the federal government has provided support in the way of aircraft and such, why don't they send some navy personnel to help with the fires in San Diego? All sailors are trained in firefighting and they could sure be used now!

CPO L V Milito USNR-R ret, East Meadow, NY (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 1:12 PM)

I would like to correct "R" on their statement regarding Louisiana citizen's attitude during Katrina.  We had many fellow Louisiana citizens help out in tent cities, etc.  Please get your facts straight.  We're not all helpless in Louisiana.

Paulette (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 1:42 PM)

For R-

Please do not lump all citizens of Louisiana in with the  people at the Superdome.  This does not represent everyone in Louisiana.  And, the folks in the Superdome did NOT have free massages, catered food and the wonderful treatment the evacuees are getting in California.

Liz, Lafayette, LA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 2:14 PM)

To Martha

You can find the nearest red cross or salvation army facility to donate your clothes. They will coordinate to get the goods to the right location as needed.

Venkat (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 2:49 PM)

I am glad there's is so many feedback on this topic but EVERYONE should stop complaining and just do something positive.  If you are not in the area, go to your local Red Cross or other emergency agencies to volunteer / donate.  If you can spare 5 minutes or 5 dollars, that is more than enough.  Also, since federal resources are being diverted to this area, it means other places in the country, in your locality or region, will need YOUR help more than ever.

Leave the finger pointing after the problem is solved.  Voice your opinion with your rights to vote and make sure you DO vote!

Fred, San Jose, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 2:50 PM)

To answer East Meadow, NY... The Navy has been assisting with the fire since Monday.  They have been operating the majority of the water dropping helicopters.  This was crucial, b/c for days the wind conditions kept fixed-winged aircraft out of the air to fight the fires.

CMW, San Diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 3:03 PM)

My heart goes out to the victims of the fires in California.  As a Katrina victim who lost everything, I can identifying with the gut wrenching emotions each and everyone is dealing with right now.   Thank you to the volunteers who are headed out to help and thank you for coming to our aid after Katrina as well.  I know many of you are one in the same.  

And for those who would speak unkindly of people's attitudes after Katrina.   Walk a mile in our shoes before you pass judgement.  It's easy to sit in the comfort of your undestroyed home and make comments but until you have actually been through a living hell, please be kind.  Everyone needs kind words and open minds at this time.

Catka, Pass Christian, MS (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 3:05 PM)

The Navy *is* helping. Some of the copters are theirs. Plus, they moved personnel onto ships to free up space (for Navy families, but that still frees up space they would have used at evac centers), and personnel are volunteering at Qualcomm and elsewhere. The Marines are also helping up in the North County, where Fallbrook is on fire (and now, Camp Pendleton).

There was a red tape snafu with military (Marine) planes and Cal Fire (Cal Fire wanted their own spotters), but a politician stepped in and those planes are up now.

rabbit, san diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 3:15 PM)

in the time it took many of you to complain here, ad nauseum, about Katrina, who's doing what and for whom, the government and who knows what else, others of us have volunteered our time or made donations to the many organizations that help out during crises such as this.  get a grip and get real.

Doug, Carson, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 3:17 PM)

Amen, CPO LV Milito we have all these capable men and women in the armed forces that could be deployed. What is the point of state of California laying off FF after the "fire season". the Santa Ana winds dont have a season they are going to blow whenever you have a high pressure system. Developers and banks dont care and dont do risk assesments for these locations that are presently burning. All they want is to build, build, build. When you have homes in canyons, on top of hills, mountains, well what do you think is going to happen? It is tragic that all this is happening. All we can do is lend a hand and pitch in. Because as soon as all this is over, it is going to rain on those hills that have no vegetation, then you'll have mudslides, and who knows maybe a earthquake or two. Stay tuned folks!! I keep telling y'all it is global warming!!

Sergio Garcia, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 3:37 PM)

It's probably right under my nose but I can't seem to find the website or phone number to volunteer at the stadium or if they even still need some. Can anyone point me in the right direction or happen to know who to call?

Nathan, Vista CA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 3:39 PM)

I have 30+ yrs. experience as a Heavy Equipment Operator. I can easily relocate to S. Calif. area to work with clean up of the devastation. Who could I contact?

Steve DeGrace, Las Vegas, Nevada (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 3:47 PM)

My company would like to donate clothing to the people in Malibu.  Does anyone have a contact name and number for clothing donations?
Pam Macchi, Go 5 Jeans, Inc.

Pam Macchi, Whittier, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 3:50 PM)

According to this navy press release http://www.pacsw.navy.mil/cnrsw/ many Navy assets are being, others are volunteering, and some are being evacuated

Vickie, Seattle, WA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 3:57 PM)

It is my understanding that the 'seasonal firefighters' (normally laid off at the end of the fire season) have been recalled and activated.

Rick, Sacramento CA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:02 PM)

As a former resident of North County I'm really proud of what I'm seeing in the news reports.  As for the comparisons to Katrina they're completely unfair.  Floods and fires, West and South, old and new there are more differences than there are similarities.

Jeff, Coastal, NC (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:05 PM)

My husband works in Carlsbad and on Friday I am going to be volunteering at Carlsbad high school which is an evac center if any evac centers in carlsbad vista or oceanside needs volunteers I want to help but am finding a hard time getting phone numbers for those evac sites
any suggestions
my email address is dogtag_sunny4@hotmail.com

Sunshine Peralta Tijuana, and Carlsbad area Ca (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:08 PM)

My son and I would like to volunteer to help in California. Where and who should I contact to sign up?

Stacy (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:38 PM)

I am a student at the University of Texas in Austin, but I was born and raised and my family are stretched all up and down the coast of California. I feel so helpless watching my state burn from practically one coast to the other. Please let me know what I can do to help!

Nicole, Pleasant Hill, Ca/ Austin, Tx (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:54 PM)

is there anyone at the stadium that would like a bedroom and bath in north carolina in a modest but clean home ----email with details---

sandra (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 5:12 PM)

As I sit here in Va. watching the news with a heavy heart, worried about my entire family and a lifetimes worth of friends who are in danger from these terrible fires. I peek at sites like this, looking for a volunteer oppertunity, only to see snide comments and a pissing contest of which disaster is worse, Katrina or the firestorm. I am sure all of the people displaced in SanDiego would give up these alleged massages at their tentsite, to have their homes back, I am also sure that all the massages in the world couldn't heal the pain the Katrina survivors experienced for so long. Please don't turn your back on your fellow man just because you don't like how the gov't is handling the situation that nobody asked to be in. The gov't and red cross probably learned a lot from the Katrina disaster, Thank god they learned something this could be a lot worse. The last thing our country needs is more heartbreak. Keep San Diego in your Prayers.

JC Charlottesville Va (Sent Thursday, October 25, 2007 2:52 AM)



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