COAT/Rebozo Drive- Please share!♥️
I took a little break this weekend and visited friends in the oak woodlands. The snow laced moss, usnea, lichen and oak leaves in all shades of naranja, were sights I’ve never seen and I drank them in. Fall colors AND snow! Seasons! Winter has always been a theory in SoCal but here we are shifting.
All life is preparing to tuck in, so attuned to Mama Tierra and her seasons. So today, in our cooperativo we focused on bringing warmth to our beloveds. The children helped spread hay all around the chicken casita, clean the coop and feed the compost with chicken “popo” (doesn’t that sound better?). Then trabajemos juntos to spread crop cover or “cobijas” over our garden beds to protect the kale, chard and other greens mighty enough for winter.
We built a fire, cooked manzanas and tortillas to warm and nourish ourselves. Then wrapped our day up with candle rolling and decorating our signs for our “Coat drive” to bring warmth to la comunidad. Many familias are winterizing trailers and spending more time in the cold than usual. Good quality, effective coats are much needed.
Tonight as I met with a family to help with an application, they shivered in the cold. I see many familias making due with lighter coverings and I want them to not just get by, but to be COZY. I also would like to purchase some rebozos (Mexican wraps) to help families heal. Warmth and wrapping tight as in our mothers womb, helps to put us back together and heal the shattering.
All day outdoors, we found the patches of sun to gather under in circle. The warmth upon our faces, el Sol, so present even in the cold. Despite this heartbreaking aftermath, I’m so grateful to be here in Southern Oregon. So much natural beauty. So much warmth. I’m meeting wonderful people and I’m constantly touched by the dedication of so many good and open hearted helpers. Big and small. Like sun rays, they stream in to help, bringing cash, garden bounty(winter squash!) needed items, cookware, baked goods, donating cars, even donating the contents of an entire storage unit! Solid helpers that I can count on for errands, meal deliveries, delivering furniture, helping with events. And all of you far and wide, sending masks and financial support. SO many that have sincerely warmed and healed my and our heart with your trust and tangible support.
I am in the follow up stage, checking back in, providing additional aid for housing, exploring what familias will need through winter and holidays in their displaced homes of trailers and hotels. This warmth and care, because of YOU. It is up to us and we are shining♥️
Local friends and families, please help us gather gently used Coats (hats and gloves too) for all ages! They can be dropped off in the bins at the Havurah, Monday through Thursday from 10am-2pm. I can also be contacted for after hours drop offs.
Friends far and wide, please Venmo @ Sylvia Poareo to fill in gaps/sizes needed and purchase some rebozos from indigenous weavers.
I will take these on my visits to share your warmth and care with all. La cultura y comunidad cura.
As always, I believe in the humanity of showing up with corazón, to hold space and offer tangible relief. Muchísimas GRACIAS for any support♥️
To Donate:
Go Fund Me: www.gofundme.com/f/almedafireslatinxrelief
Venmo: @sylvia-Poareo
Note:
I’ve been sharing my experience of the Almeda Fire in southern Oregon on my Facebook page, but I want to share it here so you can all walk with me on this journey. Click the “Almeda Fire” tag at the bottom of this post to read the entire series.