Local car enthusiasts, nonprofit team up to aid those impacted by Park Fire

By Sara Beth Williams–
A local car show and events group and a nonprofit organization came together recently to collect donations to help those impacted by the Park Fire.

A car show took place at R Vida Cantina on Sunrise Boulevard in Citrus Heights on Monday evening, Aug. 5, organized by RODS & MODS Car Shows and Events in partnership with The Rooted Collective, a nonprofit organization whose founder is based in Citrus Heights.

When The Rooted Collective announced on their social media page that volunteers were planning to deliver donated goods to an evacuation center for families affected by the Park Fire, Chris Faubel with RODS & MODS contacted The Rooted Collective and offered to help.

Faubel said organizing the car show for Monday evening was last minute, and though he wasn’t expecting a big turnout, helping victims of wildfires is close to Faubel’s heart. One of his family members lost their home in the Paradise Fire, and Faubel said it took two years for them to resettle and find a stable home again elsewhere.

Faubel has also volunteered to help other wildfire victims in the past and worked closely with families whose homes were destroyed by wildfires in Santa Rosa.

RODS & MODS organizes other car show events through the year to raise money and awareness for special causes through campaigns such as holiday toy drives and clothing drives, Faubel said, adding that he also delivers food to homeless residents during Thanksgiving, in partnership with another car club.

On Monday, residents piled donations like cases of bottled water on a small table that sat beside a row of classic cars.

“We’re doing what we can,” The Rooted Collective founder, Jesse Murchison, said, adding that his family was personally affected by the Dixie Fire, which occurred in Plumas County in July 2021.

Friday, The Rooted Collective volunteers told The Sentinel they planned to deliver supplies to The Hope Center in Oroville.

“We will keep attempting to gather supplies and deliver until we feel like there is no longer a need for it, which can last well into the recovering season of the fire,” The Rooted Collective said, adding that they have called local stores almost every day, but have not received any further donations.

The nonprofit is still seeking help from the local community. Donation requests include juice boxes and water, individually packaged snacks, hygiene products and toiletries, undergarments and socks, cleaning supplies, diapers, and dog and cat food. Monetary donations are also accepted and can be tax-deductible.

Murchison said all physical and monetary donations will go directly to help those affected by the Park Fire. Anyone interested in donating to help victims of the Park Fire can message The Rooted Collective directly on Facebook or make both personal and tax-deductible monetary donations here.