There are so many different things that I could write about with regards to the Summerset Apartment situation. The gas is now back on and the work is far from finished, but one thing that struck me more than anything was the amazing community response to support the over 1,000 residents that were left in the cold. Individuals, churches, community leaders, private organizations, City of Fresno leaders, emergency response groups and more came together to meet an incredible need. There is no possible way that I could name them all, but a few that I wanted to recognize in this article are listed below. There is also no possible way that FIRM could have responded in the way that we did without them!
So I would like to appreciate and recognize everyone who helped at some point through this journey! However, here are a few that really stood out and helped us in ways that were truly incredible!
- Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Response Team (Don Hargis and team)
- The American Red Cross (Katrina Poitras, Barry Falke and team)
- City of Fresno Councilman, Clint Olivier (District 7)
- City of Fresno Mayor, Ashley Swearengin
- City of Fresno City Manager, Bruce Rudd
- National Hmong American Farmers Executive Director. Chukou Thao
- New Harvest Church
- Pacific Gas & Electric
- Fresno Housing Authority
- Wells Fargo
- University Presbyterian Church
- The Well Community Church
- Mid Valley Southern Baptist Association
- Son of General Vang Pao, Chi Neng Vang
- The California Endowment
- Former City of Fresno Councilman, Blong Xiong
- Regency Properties President, Brad Hardie
- Stone Soup Fresno Executive Director, Lowell Ens
- Fresno County Department of Public Health Division Manager, Joe Prado
- Fresno Fire Department Deputy Chief, Tim Henry
- Fresno Fire Department Fire Captain and Emergency Officer, Jeff Guynn
- San Joaquin Memorial High School
- Local News Media, Channel 24, Channel 26, Channel 30, Channel 47, Hmong USA TV, KMJ, The Fresno Bee, Univision and more!
- People’s Church
- Wathen Castanos Homes
- Every Neighborhood Partnership Executive Director, Artie Padilla
- Volunteers, Heather Fenton, Mai Chai Yang, Ken Peck, Gabrielle Wong, Jessica DeJager, Diamond Vang, Angela Whitney, Chan, Nichole, Khanthaly, Chin, Cheng Xiong, Ingrid, Chef Steven , Molly, Mai and about 600 more!
- The Many Generous Donors From The Community!
All I can say is thank you and thank you just simply does not say enough! This is just a small list of everyone who came together to do something about this situation. I am sure that I have missed some on this list, but please know that it does not mean you were not noticed or that your investment into this situation was not appreciated. Please know that the work has just started and we look forward to a day when refugees in our community all live in safe and healthy housing conditions!
Peace and Love,
Zachary D. Darrah
Executive Director