Community Church is here for you.

Dear Friends, Members, and Neighbors--

In less than a week, as our region has been turned upside down by the Los Angeles wildfires, we have been uplifted and inspired by the generosity and unity that has emerged within our own community as so many of you have mobilized to be the hands and feet and embrace of God to our neighbors.

That said, we know this work is only just beginning. San Marino Community Church remains committed to supporting our extended community in the weeks, months, and years to come. Below is information on how, together, we can continue to help:

Open Hours

During our regular business hours, San Marino Community Church is open to anyone who needs to recharge their electronic or medical devices, or who needs wifi access to the internet (Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.). We encourage you to continue to extend this invitation to people you know who are displaced or without power. We will continue to update our Instagram with our most up to date information on office hours.

Housing

San Marino Community Church has matched a number of families with temporary housing. We continue to look for short-term and long-term rentals as people reach out to us, looking for stability in this transitional time. If you have a connection to available housing, please share that information via this form: SMCC Housing Help [https://tinyurl.com/SMCCHousingHelp].

Any information that you enter will be kept confidential within our staff, and we will do our best to house those in need. While we cannot guarantee placement, the more widely this form is shared within your trusted networks, the greater chance we have of providing much needed shelter to people displaced by the fires.

Donations

As we have watched multiple donation centers call for clothing, toiletries, shoes, bedding, towels, and other items, we see a need for children's and teen activities and supplies.

Starting this week, we will be collecting donations of the following items: backpacks, duffel bags, and messenger bags, small containers of legos or stem-style blocks, coloring books and drawing pads, crayons, card games (Uno, Old Maid, Go Fish, Found It, etc.), headphones, toy cars, water wow coloring pads, action figures and dolls, small Squishmallows, foldable scooters and helmets, balls (kickball, soccer, football, etc.), bracelet making kits, needlepoint kits, travel size skincare sets, makeup sets, hair accessories.

The most versatile donations you can give are cash cards or gift cards for large stores (Target, Walmart, gas stations, grocery stores, etc.), as they give recipients the dignity of making their own selections.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible financial donation, please donate through the Deacon's Fund and mark your donation as "Fire Relief." 100% of all financial donations will go directly to families in need and/or organizations providing relief. You can donate to the Deacon's Fund here and select “Deacon’s Assistance Fund” from the drop down menu.

If you have clothes or other donations, we encourage you to drop them off at one of the seven thrift stores in the area run by Union Rescue Mission, who are inviting those who lost property in the fire to shop in their stores for free. Please visit the Union Rescue Mission website for information about donation opportunities.

Volunteer Opportunities

If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer, we recommend reaching out to the following organizations:

San Marino Community Center: Currently accepting volunteers through Thursday. Email Jenn.Yuan.Kang@gmail.com for more information.

Flintridge Center: Seeking volunteers to sort and pass out donations. Daily from 10:30 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. at 236 W. Mountain Street, Pasadena.

Neighbors & Friends: This local cafe and cheese shop has become a donation center and drop-off point as well as a communal hub for those in need of a space to spend time. The location is seeking volunteers for a number of roles, but primarily to organize clothes and help wash dishes. Slots are available during the care's morning and afternoon open hours, through January 18. Location: 88 E. Union Street, Pasadena.

Prayer

SMCC will be hosting two contemplative, centering prayer sessions available for anyone in the community. The next session will be offered via Zoom on: Thursday, January 16 from 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

To join the prayer session, visit the Zoom link (Meeting ID: 835 5544 1204, Passcode: 1750, Dial in (669) 444-9171).

When people ask, "Where is God?" in the midst of tragedy, it is our calling as Christians to show them--through words, but mostly through actions--that God is right here with all of us. Thank you for continuing to bring hope to us and those around you in this despairing time--we remain grateful for you!

All love and light through faith in Christ,

Rev. Jessica Vaughan Lower