SALINAS VALLEY — Greenfield High School students teamed up with the local police and fire departments last week to host a Thank a Firefighter Donation Drive.
The Sept. 29 collection event allowed for the creation and delivery of 80 care packages to the Dolan Fire incident command post set up at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City on Oct. 2 for firefighters battling the wildfire.
Behind the scenes, Administrative Assistant Isabel Guerrero and Officer Joseph Dyels of the Greenfield Police Department worked to secure use of the Greenfield Civic Center for the drive.
The drive itself involved eight youth and two adults from the community, as well as Greenfield police and fire personnel, who worked together to accept items donated by the community. They specifically asked for socks, deodorant, toothpaste and other such items that could be turned into care packages.
“They wanted to do something for the firefighters and needed support in setting everything up,” said Cynthia Rodriguez, one of the community members who helped to set up the drive.
Health guidelines were in place to ensure low risk of Covid-19 spread.
“Donors were instructed to wear masks and remain in their vehicles while one of our volunteers (who also wore a mask and gloves) walked over to collect the items,” Rodriguez said. “Volunteers practiced social distancing while the drive was in session.”
Once the items were collected and turned into 80 packages with personal hygiene items, Greenfield Fire Captain Carlos Vega facilitated the delivery. There, youth participating in the delivery also had the opportunity to tour the incident command area and learn about firefighting roles involved in a large incident.
The Dolan Fire, which has burned 124,924 acres in the Santa Lucia Mountains west of the Salinas Valley, is 98% contained as of Friday.
