Fremont school looks to help fire victims, collects donations

FREMONT, Calif. (Azenith Smith/KTVU) - On Wednesday, the Governor said it is going to take a lot of money and resources to help the fire victims in the North Bay. Many people throughout the Bay Area are answering the call to help, including a Fremont school that’s collecting donations.

The poor air quality in the Bay Area is serving as a sad reminder of the North Bay fires with many people asking how they can help their neighbors.

“I’ve seen photos and it's just completely devastating a lot of my close friends from college still live up there,” said Teacher Jaclyn Bianchi.

Bianchi graduated from Sonoma State and is a second grade teacher at Chadbourne Elementary School in Fremont. After seeing images of the destructive wildfires, she knew she had to do something and she did.

Her classroom has become a donation center for fire victims. The school community is bringing in everything from toiletries to books giving extra attention to children in need especially with schools burned down.

“I can't imagine not knowing where am I going to finish my education or start it,” said Principal Kimberley Pedrotti.

“We’ve had people drop off Capri Suns for the children and boxes of crackers,” said Bianchi.

They’ve also dropped off school supplies hoping to provide art therapy to the children. Bianchi enlisted the help of family and friends.

“She lost her home and this is actually her wedding week and her home has been destroyed and burned down and she's supposed to be getting married in Calistoga,” said Bianchi’s Cousin Lindsay Sellards.

Sellards is a stylist at Salon 77 West in Pleasanton and she’s talking about her friend. The salon is also accepting donations with two car loads.

“The generosity has been huge,” said Sellards. “We had someone give us $400 worth of gift cards from their company,” said Sellards.

Chadbourne Elementary has also started a campaign where every student brings one dollar knowing it will take a village to help fire victims rebuild.

“It’s a good learning experience to show you can help someone else even if it's not someone you know,” said Pedrotti.

“I hope these items bring them joy, a sense of relief and hope and that there are people out there who care,” said Bianchi.

They’ll be accepting items until Friday. The teacher is then renting a U-Haul, dropping them off at distribution centers in Rohnert park and Napa this weekend.