Colonie's Jezreel charity donates to SoCal wildfire victims
ALBANY, NY (NEWS10) — California might be on the other side of the continent, but efforts to help wildfire victims are happening right here in the Capital Region courtesy of the Jezreel International charity.
“Okay, welcome to the warehouse. This is where all the action happens. Right here" said Barry the charity's founder and CEO.
The organization donates to impoverished nations and natural disaster zones. They invited NEWS10's Zion Decoteau into their warehouse full of boxes — what’s in them?
“Just about everything you can imagine. Everything from personal care products to bedding to clothing to footwear nothing used everything we ship is brand new” Barry explained.
Much of these supplies are headed to the victims of Southern California’s multiple wildfires. They’re being called the most destructive in the state’s history.
“It's apocalyptic…It's…there's really no words to describe what's happening" said Barry. “It is beyond our comprehension what’s happening there” the CEO continued.
The pictures of destroyed homes, burning mountains, and ash-laden skies in California were a call to action for the Colonie Charity.
“What drives me to do what I do? God!” Barry said as he laughed. “The good Lord has put on all of our hearts to help one another and be there for one another and when we see people hurting we should respond to that" he went on.
And so they did. Barry and his volunteers spent the day sorting and loading, dropping truckloads of supplies to help relieve some of the West Coast woes. But they need help.
“Two things we need right now is finances to send the shipments. Because now you're talking about sending shipments from Coast to Coast that can run between $4-5,000” Barry explained.
They also need volunteers which Barry calls Jezreel’s backbone.
“Churches come, state universities come. Different individuals can come. It's not heavy work, it's just sorting because we get so much product from Walmart and Amazon…” Barry added.
If you'd like to donate or volunteer, CLICK HERE, or call 518-438-4370.