Stanford collects donations for people, pets displaced by North Bay fires

As soon as the Stanford Cycling team opened the doors of its club house Monday morning, people began arriving with donations for individuals and families displaced by the North Bay fires, including toiletries, water, clothing, medical supplies and camping gear.

One large box in the team’s club house in the Arrillaga Outdoor Education and Recreation Center was filled to the brim with safety equipment, including high-visibility vests, safety goggles and heavy duty gloves. Another box held children’s board games.

The donations were in response to an email that Stanford’s BeWell program delivered to the Stanford community last Friday soliciting donations on behalf of the cycling team. Click here for more news about Stanford’s response to the North Bay fires.

Broder Schmidt, one of several members of the cycling team that staffed the donation center for the one-day drive, said the team was heartened by the response. Surveying the ever-growing stacks of bags and boxes, he said people clearly took the time to read the list of suggested items and go shopping for new items to donate to people whose lives have been devastated by the fires.

Schmidt said the cycling team will deliver the supplies to North Bay organizations delivering aid.

On Monday, Cardinal at Work Cares, which helps to organize and identify volunteer opportunities for employees, announced Stanford is holding an emergency pet supply donation drive through 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, to help charitable organizations in the North Bay.

“We are partnering with the Veterinary Technology Program at Foothill Community College to get supplies to help pets who have been displaced by the North Bay fires,” said Valerie Beeman, senior director, Cardinal at Work Employee Experience.

Employees may drop off pet supplies, including pet food, water bowls, dog and cat beds, litter and new litter boxes, at in the main lobby of 3160 Porter Drive.

During last weekend’s Reunion Homecoming football game, Stanford Athletics conducted a fire relief donation drive at Stanford Stadium.

“We received a high volume of donations on Saturday, including items such as clothes, bedding, toiletries and toys,” said Brian Risso, assistant athletics director, communications. “We are planning to deliver everything to Santa Rosa over the next couple of days. Our fans really stepped up, especially with the short lead time and we appreciate their support.”

Some members of the Stanford community offered assistance last week as the tragedy was unfolding. Four deputies of the Stanford Department of Public Safety responded to a mutual aid request by the Santa Rosa Police Department, which needed assistance maintaining security in neighborhoods that had been evacuated. The deputies, who worked an overnight shift, also provided security at a fire base camp for firefighters.