Montage Health, the nonprofit parent company of Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, announced today that Montage Health and its Board of Trustees have donated a total of $70,000 to firefighting and recovery efforts for the Soberanes fire.
The fire, burning since Friday, July 22, and located just a few miles south and east of Community Hospital and north of Big Sur, has burned more than 53,000 acres and 57 homes, threatened 2,000 additional structures, and sadly, taken one life. In addition, numerous firefighters and community members have been treated by Community Hospital for injuries and illness.
Montage Health and its Board of Trustees donated funds on Thursday, August 5, to three local organizations that have been critical to the firefighting and recovery efforts, and who are in great need of funding to continue that work. The three organizations recognized:
$50,000 to Coast Property Owners Association (CPOA). CPOA helps to preserve the Big Sur coast and to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the Big Sur Community. CPOA started a relief fund for those who have been displaced or lost their homes or jobs to the fire.
$10,000 to Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade. The Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade provides fire protection and emergency services to the Big Sur area and has been, and continues to be, instrumental in the Soberanes firefighting efforts.
$10,000 to Mid-Coast Fire Brigade. The Mid-Coast Fire Brigade is comprised of community members who volunteer their time to provide firefighting, disaster relief, and emergency services to the Big Sur area. Their team continues to provide necessary support for Soberanes firefighting and relief.
“This issue is so close to home and has such significant impact on our community,” said John Mahoney, Montage Board of Trustees chair. “We are so grateful and appreciative for the efforts of these local organizations; we feel it’s a mandate to be supportive.”
The money, donated by Montage Health and its Board of Trustees, is not money from patient bills and will not affect the cost of care for future patients. In addition to monetary funds donated, Montage Health has reached out to CAL FIRE, as well as local aid organizations to offer its support. More than $4,000 worth of poison oak medication and other supplies have been donated to local firefighting groups and the Big Sur Health Clinic.
“We hope for everyone’s safety as they continue to fight these fires and protect lives,” said Mahoney.
