Wildfire fund passes $200,000

PULLMAN - United Way of Whitman County received widespread community support for the Babb Road/Malden Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund. The fund recently topped $200,000 due to more than 900 individual donations.

"The outpouring of support on both the local and national levels has been overwhelming," said Karissa Schlosser, Chair of the United Way Wildfire Fund Task Force. "We are so fortunate to live in a community that takes care of its neighbors."

The Babb Road fire destroyed 121 homes in Malden and Pine City as well as eight commercial/city properties and 94 other structures. Many of the affected homes were uninsured.

Among the contributions was $76,000 from Spokane's No-Li Brewhouse and members of the greater Spokane community. No-Li Brewhouse led an early grassroots effort in matching donations given from their customers.

The Spokane and Palouse branches of First Interstate Bank also contributed $15,000.

One hundred percent of funds raised by United Way of Whitman County will go to support the Long Term Recovery Group currently being organized in Malden. Additional funds raised by the Innovia Foundation, St. John Rural Relief and other community organizations will also support this group.

Recovery, especially during the pandemic, will be a long and difficult journey. You can continue to support local efforts by donating to the Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund online or by writing a check to PO Box 426, Pullman, WA 99163.

Donate to the Whitman County Fire Relief and Recovery Fund by following the links at donorbox.org/whitman-county-fire-relief-fund or by mailing donations to P.O. Box 426, Pullman, WA 99163. For questions and inquiries of needed donations contact Eric Fejeran at 509-332-3691 or at director@whitmanunited.org