Several California credit unions reported dozens of employees and members lost their homes during the California wildfires, and there could be more losses as neighborhoods were just re-opened Friday morning in Santa Rosa to anxious residents who evacuated their homes nearly two weeks ago.
The Golden State’s deadliest fires ever claimed the lives of 42 people, destroyed or damaged 7,700 homes and buildings, caused $1 billion in property losses and displaced more than 15,000 people, according to California authorities and media reports.
The $3.5 billion Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa reported Thursday that approximately 28 employees and officials lost their homes. During the natural disaster, RCU said more than 100 staff members had been evacuated.
Erin Mendez, president/CEO of the $5.8 billion Patelco Credit Union in Pleasanton, said 47 members lost their homes and many of them also lost their cars and other personal property.
Other credit unions that reported employees or members who had lost their homes were the $211 million Community First Credit Union in Santa Rosa, the $922 million Sierra Central Credit Union in Yuba City, and the $27.3 million Sonoma Federal Credit Union in Santa Rosa.
“So far we’ve talked to 47 of our members who have lost their homes and that is only through Wednesday,” Mendez said. “A lot of them have their lost cars, they have no credit cards or debit cards, and some of them lost their paychecks that got burned, so we are just trying to help facilitate them through a large variety of situations.”
Patelco identified about 9,000 of its members that were in the wildfire zones, and it has so far contacted more than 1,000 members.
“We are just trying to reach those members to make sure that they know of our disaster relief program and we really want to make sure that we are reaching those members who might need us the most,” she said. “These members have been incredibly appreciative of our outreach, and quite frankly probably amazed. Even if they don’t need the help right now, they know that if they need the help in one, two or three weeks, they know we are here for them.”
Patelco’s disaster relief program includes no interest loans up to $500 with no qualifying, loan deferments, ATM fee reimbursement and a new personal loan up to $5,000 with no interest on the first year, and then 3.25% interest after that in years two and three. The credit union also is matching $100,000 in monetary donations for three area non-profits that are feeding and housing displaced residents. The credit union is accepting donations at patelco.org/Cares and at all of Patelco’s 36 branches across California.
On Thursday, more than 700 people attended a community event at Patelco’s Santa Rosa branch, where it is provided blankets, hot lunches, phone chargers and hygienic kits for those in need.
RCU also is providing zero-interest loans, payment deferrals, increased credit lines and other financial assistance to members affected by the fires. In partnership with other organizations, RCU is accepting donations through its North Bay Fire Relief Fund at redwoodcu.org/northbayfirerelief.
Additionally, Community First CU in partnership with North Coast Opportunities Inc. is also accepting donations at any of its branches or at ncoinc.org.
