Santa Cruz County
April 13–19, 2025
There have been a lot of natural disasters in the news lately, flooding in North Carolina, hurricanes in Florida, fires in Los Angeles. So it may come as a surprise that this year our efforts will be focused on helping those who were affected by a disaster in 2020.

This year we will be heading to the Scotts Valley, CA to help CZU lightning complex fire victims. “The CZU inferno destroyed about 700 homes in Santa Cruz County. Of those, 127 residences have been rebuilt and another 134 are under construction, according to the county.” (https://www.govtech.com/em/disaster/residents-struggle-to-recover-from-2020-santa-cruz-mountains-fire). For even those who has insurance they found themselves underinsured due to the rise in the cost of materials.

 We will be working with The Santa Cruz Long Term Recovery Group (https://www.sccltrg.org/). They have indicated there will be a home that needs to be demolished, some brush removal on property that the residents are not currently living on, and some rebuilding projects too. Housing will be at a church in Scotts Valley (bring your air mattress).

The week runs from 5:00 on Sunday, the 13th, through 10:00 on Saturday, the 19th. You do not have to stay for the whole week but can come for just the days you are able to be there. The cost is $30 per day, or $180 for those who are staying the entire week (Sunday through Saturday). This is inclusive of food, housing, laundry, and transportation to and from the work sites. You will be responsible for getting yourself to our lodging. There is some scholarship assistance available if you and/or your church can’t cover the cost.

Please register by April 4th so we can plan for meals and housing. We have a limit of 18 persons per day. We will be in contact with you after you register to give you more details.

If you have any questions please contact Lou Ann Hughes @[email protected].