November 14, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, 11/14/2018) – A joint campaign launched Monday, Nov. 12, by a team of Islamic organizations and mosques raised more than $20,000 in less than 24 hours for victims of the Camp Fire in Butte County.

The wildfire has burned at least 135,000 acres, killed at least 48 people, and anywhere from 100 to more than 200 people are missing.

READ: Camp Fire: 200-plus people still missing as wildfire’s growth slows (SF Gate)

READ: Who are the Camp Fire missing? Filled with elderly and couples, list of more than 100 names released (Sac Bee)

The LaunchGood fundraiser, titled Camp Fire Victim Relief Fund, aims to raise funds for cash and gift cards for Camp Fire evacuees. The funds will go to the Islamic Center of Chico, which will purchase and distribute the cards to fire victims.

A total of 14 organizations are part of the coalition sponsoring the fundraiser: the Islamic Center of Chico, the Islamic Center of Live Oak, the Islamic Center of Yuba City, ICNA Relief USA, Islamic Relief USA, CAIR-Sacramento Valley (CAIR-SV), Council of Sacramento Valley Islamic Organizations (COSVIO), Masjid Annur in Sacramento, Masjid As-Sabur in Sacramento, MAS Community and Youth Center of Elk Grove, Muslim Community Center – East Bay (MCC East Bay), Muslim Community of Folsom (MCF), the Muslim Mosque Association in Sacramento and the Sacramento Area League of Associated Muslims (SALAM Center) in Sacramento.

“We are heartbroken over the devastation caused by the Camp Fire – along with the other wildfires across California,” said Islamic Center of Chico President Muhammad Hussain. “So many people have lost everything and the Islamic community wants to do anything we can to help alleviate their pain.”

As of Wednesday, Nov. 14, at about 3:30 p.m., the campaign had raised $25,445 from 160 supporters.

As part of the relief effort, the Islamic Center of Chico plans to distribute cash cards to survivors on Thursday, and Mercy on Wheels food trucks from ICNA SF Bay Area Relief will be heading to 2375 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, across from Tractor Supply, in Chico on Saturday and Sunday to feed those in need.

There will be more outreach in the days and weeks to come.

People can contribute to the LaunchGood fundraiser for Camp Fire victims at LaunchGood.com/campfire.

CONTACT: Kalin Kipling, CAIR-SV communications manager, at kkipling@cair.com or 916-441-6269.