More than 800,000 acres, 3,500 buildings and 22 lives later, the California fires have at long last quelled to a contained simmer. As the world continues to look on, firefighters work around the clock in select locations around Los Angeles and San Diego, salvaging any remaining property untouched by the fires’ wrath.
With the recent rainfall and lower temperatures, the lingering flames are dwindling and are expected to disappear in the next couple of weeks.
Some sources have reported that the devastation caused by this string of fires is the worst in the past decade; others say it is California’s worst ever.
As students at a university on a grassy hill (with historically dry brush that has seen its share of fire-related damage), these fires hit close to home — in some cases more emotionally than geographically.
Many students at Pepperdine had family that was evacuated and even lost their homes. Although the fire that burned less than two miles away from campus at Corral Canyon was quickly contained and put out, the massive infernos to the east and south have created a path of damage we cannot ignore. There are thousands who are homeless, and many who have lost far more than just shelter.
Unless we have personal ties to a tragedy such as this, it is sometimes difficult to commit ourselves fully to the relief effort. But now that the frenzy is winding down, the time has come to devote our spiritual and physical energy toward helping those who were caught in the crossfire.
Nationwide, people have opened up their pocketbooks to lend what support they can to those affected by this disaster. The American Red Cross announced on Halloween that it had enough contributions and pledges to cover the $6 million price tag for disaster relief provided for the recent firestorm. Since people can allocate their donation for a specific purpose, they are now restricting donations marked for the wildfire relief, and are instead encouraging people to donate to the general Disaster Relief Fund, which would provide Red Cross services for the next major disaster.
In light of the generous outpouring from across the nation, one would hope that the Pepperdine community would follow suit, especially considering that we could have easily been the ones needing the assistance. But until last week no one on campus had taken the initiative to organize any sort of assistance for the wildfire victims.
Thankfully, it appears that Housing and Community Living has taken on the call of duty and set the precedent by which the rest of the Pepperdine community should follow. Partnering with the Salvation Army and Pepperdine’s Department of Public Safety and Special Programs, HCL will be collecting toiletries and clothing at more than 10 locations across campus.
At a school that takes its Christian mission so seriously, it is now time to show our hearts for compassion.
In the words of last week’s Convocation speaker, Dr. James Washington, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”
In light of the recent discord and possible split of the Episcopal Church over the election of a gay bishop, the nation, and the world at large is looking at the Christian church in a negative light. Add that to the priest sex scandals that rocked the Christian church in the last few years and, now, more than ever, is the time for the Christian community to pull together and live how Jesus taught us to live.
The nation is looking at the church, as a whole, with a skeptical eye. And this is the perfect opportunity, in the face of adversity, to be examples of the lovingkindess that Christ modeled for us.
Following suit with HCL, it’s time to show the Southern California community who we are with our service-oriented compassion toward the fire victims. With drop-off locations in the main lobby of each of the dorm halls, Towers and apartments, the HAWC, Sandbar and Tyler Campus Center, there’s no excuse not to donate something.
With fall upon us, it was probably time to clean out your closet anyway. Might as well put those extra clothes to good use.
November 06, 2003