PRESS RELEASE
SUPPORT IS STILL NEEDED IN THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS
San Bernardino Mountains, CA — Now, a month after the seven-day blizzard began, followed by another storm that added three more feet of snow, the mountains are again under siege by the weather. An ice storm hit yesterday and is predicted to continue through at least today. Most of the main roads had been cleared since the last storm, but today are again impassible. The smaller public roads, private access roads, and driveways are still a challenge for many residents who need to leave their homes.
The governor of California declared our mountains to be in a State of Emergency, but assistance from the state never arrived. About 500 volunteers from throughout the mountain communities have been boots on the ground from day one: collecting donations and distributing them throughout the disaster areas. We call ourselves “Operation Mountain Strong”.
CalDART joined the volunteer effort—in the air with six helicopters transporting more than 21,000 lbs. of food and medical supplies. They staged out of San Bernardino International Airport. This made the flight only seven minutes, takeoff to touchdown. The helicopters brought food and supplies to the Mountains Community Hospital helipad in Lake Arrowhead and to a SkyPark parking lot in Skyforest where volunteers picked up the supplies and distributed them where they were desperately needed. They are on standby ready to help again. But the weather today precludes any helicopter activity.
There are only three supermarkets in the mountains around Lake Arrowhead and Crestline—Goodwin’s in Crestline, Jensen’s in Blue Jay, and Stater Brothers in Lake Arrowhead. Goodwin’s Supermarket was totally destroyed when the entire roof collapsed. Jensen’s suffered storm damage that required it to be closed. This left thousands of people without a place to get food quickly. Now there is only one supermarket left in the mountains to provide for about 45,000 mountain residents. The County food distribution ended as of March 20 and leaving only two locations open until March 26.
Yesterday and today’s ice storm has again closed many roads, and even walking to get food is treacherous. Many mountain residents are desperate, they haven’t been able to go to work, and are without food or fuel for warmth.
Food donations are still needed because of loss of income due to 20+ days of unplowed or closed roads which has left a long-lasting recovery need. In the last month, Operation Mountain Strong has distributed more than 56,000 lbs of food; fresh food donated by World Central Kitchen when it was needed the most, and GEM provided food for more than 1,500 homes. With the contributions donated, the volunteers have fed more than 20,000 people. Donation and distribution locations continue to be operated by volunteers because there’s still a need in the community.
The volunteers of our community are pleading for your help with donations.
Items may be purchased directly via our Walmart Registry https://www.walmart.com/registry/ER/15cb1432-db58-46ca-b101-1e52c9d849d5
OR
You may drop off donations at Northpark Baptist Church, 5095 N Mayfield Ave. (Mon-Sat 9-1), or at Gods Helping Hand Thrift Store at 840 N Sierra Way (Mon-Fri 1-4), San Bernardino, CA.
OR
Cash Donations may be given via our recovery fund
https://www.gofundme.com/f/san-bernardino-mountain-relief-fund
Supplies needed include but are not limited to:
Bread
Canned food, soups
Canned chicken and tuna
Cup of Noodles
Diabetic friendly food
Kid snacks
Juices
Microwavable food (non-frozen)
Instant macaroni and cheese
Cereal
Instant oatmeal
Pancake mix (add water only)
Pancake Syrup
Butter
Eggs
Cheese
Pasta and sauces
Rice
Beans
Broths
Dog and cat food
Baby food
Formula: Soy and regular and digestive, all kinds.
Milk, lactic acid milk, canned milk, shelf milks (almond, oat, etc.)
Peanut butter & Jelly
In addition to food, the need for the following items is needed:
Diapers (all sizes: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 etc.)
Diapers (adult)
Feminine hygiene products
Baby wipes
Shovels
Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste)
Ice melt
Small toys for kids
Manual can openers
Small space heaters
Electric blankets
Duraflame / firewood logs
Winter clothing and boots
Heavy bags to carry supplies
This effort is coordinated by the local volunteers of Operation Mountain Strong, who are valiantly trying to help the San Bernardino Mountain Community during this historic time. They have covered from Green Valley Lake, Arrowbear, Running Springs, Skyforest, Lake Arrowhead, Cedar Glen, Agua Fria, Blue Jay, Rimforest, Twin Peaks, Crestline, Lake Gregory, Hook Creek, Crest Park, Valley View, 1000 Pines, Cedar Pines Park to Valley of Enchantment.
Volunteers are still needed to help with packing and distribution on both sides of the mountain and can go to https://operationmountainstrong.com/ for more information.
In closing this Press Release, we need to publicly acknowledge the awesome efforts of local churches, local businesses, which have been unbelievably generous, the Red Cross, which had provided food and shelter for mountain people left homeless by the storm, the San Bernardino County Sherriff, whose deputies have been hugely helpful, the County and Caltrans workers who put in 24/7 struggles to get the roads clear, and the contractors who brought up megatons of heavy equipment and operated it with surgical skill, and the pilots, mechanics, and dispatchers of CalDART, who flew the helicopters that proved so essential to our rescue effort. This tragic disaster brought out the best in our communities—neighbors helping neighbors, everyone trying to help in any way they could. Mountain people came together in what can only be called an extortionary display of our faith, courage, and strength.
#mountainstrong
#SanBernardinoMountainsBlizzard2023
Operation Mountain Strong
operationmountainstrong.com
https://www.walmart.com/registry/ER/15cb1432-db58-46ca-b101-1e52c9d849d5
https://www.gofundme.com/f/san-bernardino-mountain-relief-fund
caldart.org
PHOTO
3/22/23 Highway 189, Blue Jay, CA.
