Nearly 100 CTA members came to the CTA Chico office
today to fill out CTA Disaster Relief grant forms. It's the
first time many colleagues have seen each other since the
Camp Fire broke out, literally burning the town of Paradise
to the ground.
Child care was provided while parents did paperwork,
and every child left with a book or coloring book. After filling
out the forms, each member was given a CTA goodie bag
containing gift cards, hand sanitizers, lotions, first aid kits
and toothbrushes. Members say they are grateful for the
support and resources provided by CTA.
"Teachers are so appreciative of the opportunity to come
in, ask questions and apply for CTA resources," said TAP's
Smith. "They're feeling more secure leaving the building
than when they came in. We can't give them guarantees,
but I can share with them what CTA and the district are
doing. They find it reassuring."
63 D E C E M B E R 2 018 / J A N U A R Y 2 019
How to Help
F O R M E M B E R S and communities affected by the
many wildfires and other disasters, the best form
of aid is cash assistance. If you can, donate to the
funds listed here so local folks on the ground can
purchase the items they need:
• The Chico Unified Teachers Association's
Camp Fire GoFundMe fundraiser for educators
and students in the Paradise/Chico area,
gofundme.com/camp-fire-paradise-teachers.
• Butte College Education Association has set up
two GoFundMe fundraisers — one for faculty,
gofundme.com/
butte-college-facultystaff-relief, and one
for students, gofundme.com/
butte-college-student-relief-fund.
• Santa Monica-Malibu educators
GoFundMe fundraiser,
gofundme.com/smmcta-fire-victims.
• The CTA Chico RRC is also accepting donations
of cash and practical gift cards for groceries or
essentials. If you can provide housing, for those
needing a place to stay, please call the RRC at
530-345-9743.
You can also donate directly to CTA's Disaster
Relief Fund, ctamemberbenefits.org/drf. Sign up
for automatic payroll deduction or send a check
made out to:
CTA Disaster Relief Fund
1705 Murchison Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010
If you are interested in helping animals and family
pets affected by the Camp Fire, see nvadg.org.
See cta.org/firesupport for the most up-to-date
information.
How to Help
Paradise Elementary
School
TAP is playing a key role in assisting members who have suffered
by helping them apply for emergency grants from CTA's Disaster
Relief Program, as detailed in "Teachers Helping Teachers."
Nearly 100 CTA members came to the CTA Chico office on Nov. 13
to fill out CTA Disaster Relief Fund forms. Standing is TAP President
David Smith; to his left is TAP Vice President Rachel Kagan.