South Lake Tahoe community coming together for fire victims

The South Lake Tahoe community is doing what they do best, helping out others when needed.

With the Butte Fire forcing hundreds out of their homes while destroying over a hundred of them, and burning tens of thousands of acres, people in that community are in need of assistance.

Enter into the picture Monica Nichols and dozens of other locals as they spearheaded a donation drive and are now taking them into the burn area.

Nichols and some friends formed Team Rebuild from the King last year to help people rebuild after the devastating King Fire near Placerville. They got groups of volunteers together to fix fences, brought in port-a-potties, and cleaned up properties to help people displaced from the flames. Stacy, one of the volunteers, owns a ranch near Placerville and got her rigs together and started hauling animals. Chris Nichols repairs big equipment and helped with trailers, loaders and anything else big equipment was needed for. Cathleen had resources for getting supplies and raising money. Monica, as is evident from this weekend's work in South Lake Tahoe, is an endless bundle of energy.

Monica posted on facebook that she was going to take donations off the hill into Amador and Calavares Counties, and the response had been overwhelming.

"The response has been amazing," said Monica. "I've been to the North Shore, off the hill, and through town to get donations."

Chad Tripp of Bear Bottom Bargains, a new business owner in town gave her items from his store. "He opened his doors and told me to take anything I needed," said Monica. "This is money out of his pocket!"

She filled up her truck at Tripp's store and was going to unload at her house and go pick up another load at the Tahoe Wellness Collective. Someone with a cargo van offered to help her transport everything down to the recipients.

Tahoe Wellness Cooperative had heard of everyone wanting to donate items so them put up a tent outside to store all of the items until Monica could come by. If anyone still wants to donate things, Tahoe Wellness, located at 3445 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, will accept them between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. (please do not leave items when they are not opened)

Monica got her giving spirit as a young child when neighbors would come to her home before her dad died and help them with all chores without being asked, and asking nothing in return.

Her employee, Liberty Utilities, has the same giving spirit and has Liberty Days. Employees can have three paid days off a year to go help in the community.

"Tahoe is very very generous community," Monica said. "Tahoe has the same kind of vibe I grew up with, and it's really, really nice. Makes me feel like I'm home again."

Since there are so many displaced farm animals in the Butte Fire, many of that community's needed items are for them. Since many people can remove their animals when being evacuated, they paint their name and phone number on them and let them out loose and hope rescue workers will find them. Humane Society volunteers will then go into fire areas and gather up the loose animals and take them to safety.

Needed:
Dawn Dish Soap to remove retardant off animals
halters
lead ropes
dog food
cat food
food and water bowls ( the bigger the better)
crates
large dog kennels
Betadine
bandages, tape any medical supplies
diaper
baby formula
Childrens Tylenol
baby clothes and supplies
children's clothing
playpens in good shape
baby food
toys
baby wipes
FOOD ITEMS:
tuna
Pop Tarts
protein bars
juice sports drinks
powdered milk
Ensure
peanut butter
water
canned meat (pop top only)