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SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - Seeing the devastating images from the Camp Fire is prompting people from all over the Bay Area to want to help. Donations are pouring in for a South Bay collection drive.
Jamie Bruck has collected a U-Haul full of items including toiletries, baby items, clothes and toys for Camp Fire victims in one day. Bruck's neighbor in San Jose came up with the idea after a family friend lost a home in Paradise.
Bruck gathered donations during the Carr Fire in Shasta County last August after her great grandmother lost a home.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Bruck. “Especially since I had a family member who lost a home. I can only imagine a whole town being gone. It's just heartbreaking.”
The Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is among the many organizations accepting monetary donations. The Red Cross has five shelters for camp fire evacuees. Money will go toward food and medical assistance.
“Fire like a flood destroys not only the immediate situation but it's a long-term fix,” said Larry Dietz of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The Humane Society of Silicon Valley is looking for people to adopt and foster pets. They've taken in 67 cats and dogs from the Northwest SPCA in Oroville outside the fire zone.
“They were in the area of where the fire was going on,” said Michelle Suarez from the Humane Society of Silicon Valley. “They needed to get out of the area in order to make more space for the fire victims animals to stay closer to home.”
At the donation drive, Bruck said a 10-year-old girl who donated toys touched her the most.
“She was very concerned where the toys were going,” said Bruck. “She wanted to make sure they were being given to other kids who needed them.”
Bruck found a letter in the midst of the toys that read in part, “Stay strong and find the light. By all means don't give up.”
The South Bay mother will be accepting donations until Wednesday. What she really needs is gift cards. She will be dropping the times off in Chico on Thursday.
Anyone who would like to help can contact Jamie Bruck at (408) 834-6006.