The Carson City Community Center opened as a Caldor Fire evacuation site on Monday and reached maximum capacity within hours. Some evacuees have set up tents in the grass out back.(Photo: Faith Evans/Nevada Appeal)
With evacuation centers in Douglas County and Carson City filling rapidly, local businesses and organizations are stepping in to offer additional support to displaced Caldor Fire evacuees. They’re encouraging residents to drop off donations and connecting evacuees with support and resources. Just Brew It Tessa and Trevor Rotoli, co-owners of Just Brew It, are facilitating donation drop-offs and offering space to park and hang out for displaced evacuees, no patronage necessary. Parents are welcome to bring their children into the store. “We have space, and we know people are in need … Anytime that we are open, people are welcome to come be here,” Tessa told the Appeal over the phone. “People wanting to give can give, and people needing to receive can receive.” Just Brew It is located at 1214 N. Carson St. It opens at 11 a.m. every day but Sunday, and closes at 6 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 5 p.m. on Saturdays. They will deliver donations to the American Red Cross or other appropriate community organizations. Tessa said over the phone that she wanted evacuees to know that Just Brew It has a child-friendly area in the store, restrooms, and tap water, all offered for free to those in need. Nevada Humane Society The Nevada Humane Society on 549 Airport Road is accepting pet food and supply donations. They will ensure that all donations go to pets at the evacuation centers. Items needed most urgently include small bags of cat food, cat carriers, and small bags of dog food. Their hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, with a brief closure at 2-3 p.m. for animal nap time. Northern Nevada Dream Center Located on 3579 Hwy. 50 E. #211, the Northern Nevada Dream Center is collecting donations for those affected by the Caldor Fire. Visit them between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday or Thursday to drop off water, wet and dry pet foods, snacks, blankets, and toiletries. F.I.S.H. F.I.S.H. will serve lunch and dinner to fire evacuees 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Find them at 138 Long St. They’re also looking for volunteers to help prepare rooms at the Whistle Stop Inn to host evacuees as soon as possible. To donate time, visit www.nvfish.com/volunteer or call (775) 882-3474. Adams Hub for Innovation The Adams Hub is offering office space on a first-come first-served basis for business evacuees. Each room is furnished. Businesses only need to supply their own laptops to work. Find the Hub on the corner or 111 W Proctor St. Drop by or call (775) 222-0001 for availability. Facebook group “Caldor Fire Donations & Help” To communicate directly with evacuees and offer help, browse the Facebook group “Caldor Fire Donations & Help.” Lots of residents in Northern Nevada and California are offering parking space for vehicles, spare rooms, supplies, and more. The group was created on Aug. 17, but it already has over 3,000 members in Northern Nevada and California. American Red Cross The American Red Cross needs volunteers and monetary donations to support disaster relief not only in the west, but across the U.S. Visit www.redcross.org/volunteer to donate time or www.redcross.org/donate to give money online or browse other ways to donate. For those who would like to ensure that their money stays local, designate donations to “Western Wildfires” or “Your Local Red Cross.” Places to park RVs/campers • Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S. Carson St: The Railroad Museum has opened its larger parking lot to RV parking on a first-come, first-served basis. Bathrooms are available, but there are no showers on site. Call (775) 687-6953 for questions. • Hope Crossing Community Church, 1505 Railroad Drive. Call ahead of time to register and provide the number of people in your group, (775) 445-9599. The church does not have hookups or showers, but restrooms will be available. • LifePoint Church, 1095 Stephanie Way, Minden: LifePoint church has offered their back parking lot to evacuees with RVs. They do not have hookups or showers, but restrooms are available on site. Call ahead to reserve space, (775) 267-0151, or visit their website, www.lifepointnv.com/events. • Dayton Rodeo Event Center, 500 Schaad Lane, Dayton, capacity 150 RVs for dry camping and a limited number of large animals. • Lyon County Fair Grounds (capacity 200 RVs for dry camping and large animals) – 100 U.S. Highway 95A East, Yerington, NV 89447 • Hilltop Community Church, 3588 Romans Rd, Carson City, NV 89705 is accepting RVs. Evacuation Center • Reno Sparks Convention Center (capacity 454), 4590 South Virginia St., Reno.
