MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dear Community Members:

The Board of Directors and staff of the Montecito Association would like to express our sorrow and concern for all who suffered losses in the tragic Tea Fire. Our entire community is feeling the effects as many friends, neighbors and associates deal with damaged or lost homes. Yet, we should all be impressed and proud of the response from our community in helping those in need.

In the aftermath, the Montecito Association is taking immediate steps to support our community. First, we are updating our website, www.montecitoassociation.org, to provide links to important resources and information to assist those in need of basics like clothing, shelter and financial support. We have also included links to disaster preparedness measures for future emergencies. We were all reminded last week that there is more we must do to be ready in the event of the need to evacuate our homes or survive an earthquake! Please scroll down to the end of this message for these important links and take this opportunity to support our community members in need.

Recovery and rebuilding will be a challenging and complex process. We have already begun to work closely with County staff and agencies to ensure that all resources are publicized and made easily accessible to those in need. For those of you who suffered damage to or the loss of your home, we offer our staff resources to help you navigate the road to rebuilding your home. Please call our office at 969-2026 or email execdirector@montecitoassociation.org with your current contact information and let us know how we can help. Also, please call or stop by our office at 1469 East Valley Road and pick up a free copy of our "Guide to Rebuilding and Remodeling" which not only describes the County permitting process but also contains important reference and contact information.

The Montecito Association is also planning to host a community forum in mid-December. We will be inviting members of the community to gather and discuss lessons learned from the Tea Fire and to focus on how we can all be more prepared the next time disaster strikes. Please watch for future announcements.

We are here and want to help. Please don't hesitate to call us with your questions or concerns at 969-2026.

Sincerely,
Bill Palladini, President

IMPORTANT LINKS

OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP OR FIND SERVICES

Legal Advice - Santa Barbara County Bar Association (805) 962-2566.

www.carehelp.org - CARe provides free comprehensive information about the rebuilding process, including the insurance settlement process, to disaster victims so they may effectively re-establish their homes, lives and communities. CARe is an educational 501c3 non-profit California corporation established by San Fernando Valley community leaders after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. All CARe volunteers and staff have lost their homes and successfully recovered from fire or earthquake disasters.

www.ciymca.org - The Santa Barbara and Montecito YMCA’s have waived fees for any member whose home was damaged in the fire; stopping bank drafts for the next six months. Additionally, both the Santa Barbara and Montecito Family YMCA are offering free membership to anyone in the community who has lost their home in the Tea fire for the next six months. You can contact the Montecito YMCA at (805) 969-3288 and the Santa Barbara Family YMCA at (805) 687-7727.

www.teafirerelief.com - Opportunities to directly help residents of the historic Mountain Drive Community through offers of housing, clothing and other personal items as well as monetary donations.

www.sbredcross.org - Santa Barbara Chapter of the American Red Cross. Accepting donations for disaster relief and donations specifically targeted to Tea Fire disaster relief.

www.unityshoppe.org - This is the designated recipient of in-kind donations like clothing and other personal items. Please go to this web site for a complete list of items needed.

www.santabarbara.craigslist.org - A local source for available goods, services and rental housing.

www.independent.com/blogs/tea-fire---community-bulletin/2008/nov/14/BB-TeaFire/ - Individuals and companies offering services and support identify themselves in this blog.

Lance and Carla Burn Fund: Two residents of the Upper Hyde Tract in the 200 block of East Mountain Drive were severely burned as they attempted to evacuate their home. Due to their extent of injuries, both victims were airlifted to a Regional Burn Center where they remain in critical but stable condition. The Lance and Carla Burn Fund has been established at Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, located at 1483 East Valley Rd, Montecito, CA.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

www.montecitofire.com/disaster_prep.htm - A number of resources describing how to prepare when you live in the Wildland Urban Interface, evacuation preparedness, tips for avoiding earthquake damage and FAQ's about Reverse 911.

www.merrag.com - MERRAG (pronounced Mirage) is a network of trained volunteers who work and live in the Montecito area. Members are prepared to respond to a community disaster during the critical first 72 hours following an event. Since 1987, the mutual "self-help" organization has been serving Montecito's 13,000 residents with the guidance and support of the Montecito Fire, Water and Sanitary Districts. MERRAG's website has useful tips on disaster preparedness and how you can be a part of disaster response in your neighborhood.