While wildfires are well known to Californians, the sudden brush fire in the unlikely location in Hawaii that killed approximately 100 people has drawn support from the American Legion Post in Los Alamitos.
According to the memo, the response has been so overwhelming that the items are filling up the post and the Commander is eager to find transportation assistance to move the donations around.
In a letter made public this week, American Legion Post 716 Commander James Eubanks issued an appeal this week for supplies to send in relief to those affected by Hawaii’s devastating fire.
“I am reaching out in hopes of soliciting some assistance,” Eubanks began his letter. “Several days ago Post and Squadron 716 (Los Alamitos) put out the word to its membership and the local neighborhood that we were collecting goods to send to Hawaii to assist them with the goods they need,” he said.
“We believed we had transportation lined up for the cargo, but we soon found out that the promise was for personal hygiene items only,” he added.
“Since we put out the word, we have had a tremendous amount of clothing and food coming into the post, to the point we are having to store items in our bar. The items are still coming in all day and we are in the process of packaging and weighing everything. Instead of boxes, we are now talking pallets and we have yet to secure transportation.”
“I am reaching out to all, looking for anyone that can assist in getting these items shipped, any contact that you may have that will assist or knowledge in regard to shipping these items will be greatly appreciated. We must get these items shipped, since they were donated for Hawaii, I feel that we must be true to our word. Our reputation as a trustworthy nonprofit organization dictates that we do so,” said Eubanks in the open letter.
“We find that in the process of doing this good deed, we have created a monster and can use some assistance,” Eubanks said asking the community for help.
In addition to serving as Post Commander, Eubanks is the District 29 Commander, Past Detachment Commander and the current Post Commander.
Any person or organization wanting to assist can reach out to pdc.eubanks@yahoo.com or call 714-299-8441.