LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Las Vegas woman has joined several business owners and community members to organize a donation drive for victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.
“I was sitting down,” Mandy White Eskelin said. “And I’m like, ‘I have to do something.’”
In the days since deadly wildfires broke out in Southern California, Eskelin has started a movement in Las Vegas.
“Seeing the videos and seeing the families displaced,” she recalled. “And just tragically losing everything.”
She told 8 News Now watching the devastating footage of the fast-moving flames inspired her to take action, and she had help from the community.
“I love that people have just jumped at the opportunity,” she said. “To what can I do?”
Eskelin said this all started on Facebook when she posted in a local group, asking how people could unite and donate to fire victims.
The response was so explosive that she started a Facebook page called ‘Vegas Strong: L.A. Fire Relief’ and coordinated with several local business owners to get things moving.
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A Las Vegas woman has joined several business owners and community members to organize a donation drive for victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. (KLAS)
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A Las Vegas woman has joined several business owners and community members to organize a donation drive for victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. (KLAS)
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A Las Vegas woman has joined several business owners and community members to organize a donation drive for victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. (KLAS)
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A Las Vegas woman has joined several business owners and community members to organize a donation drive for victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. (KLAS)
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A Las Vegas woman has joined several business owners and community members to organize a donation drive for victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. (KLAS)
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A Las Vegas woman has joined several business owners and community members to organize a donation drive for victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. (KLAS)
Several truck drivers and Las Vegans with RVs and trailers also volunteered to gather everything and take it to the Los Angeles Dream Center for distribution.
“It has been amazing,” Tammy Wood said of the Las Vegas community. “The way they have all pulled together and shown up.”
Woods owns Vegas Crystal Healings near Eastern Avenue and Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson. She is one of several business owners who offered her space as a drop-off location.
“I am really blessed to be in a position where I can help Mandy with organizing this,” Wood said. “And putting it all together.”
The group is asking for all donations, but Eskelin said certain items are especially needed, including:
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Men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing.
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Baby formula, diapers and baby wipes
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Air purifiers to combat poor air quality
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Basic kitchen items, can openers
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Toiletries and hygiene items
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New underwear, bras and socks
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Clean sheets, bedding, pillows and blankets
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Phone chargers and extension cords
“Things that we don’t even think about or we take for granted, they have none of that,” Eskelin explained. “A lot of people really left with just the clothes on their backs.”
Southern Nevada, a community that knows the power of connection after tragedy, is now sharing that support with those who need it now.
“We came together and became Vegas Strong,” Eskelin concluded. “Now it’s our turn to give back to others.”
To help facilitate transportation, those making donations are asked to separate them into bags or boxes with labels.
Donation drop-off locations:
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Vegas Crystal Healings:
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10740 S Eastern Ave #105 Henderson, NV 89052
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10:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. seven days a week
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Premium Trucking
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5050 Steptoe St. UNIT C Las Vegas, NV 89122
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8 a.m.- 5 p.m. seven days a week
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American Family Insurance
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7345 S Durango Dr. #108 Las Vegas, NV 89113
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Saturday 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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5550 Painted Mirage Rd #140
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The building is located off the U.S. 95 at Ann Rd.
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Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Dry Creek Saloon
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1330 5th St. Pahrump, NV 89048
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Sunday & Monday 1:00 p.m. to 9: 00 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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