'After the Ashes' Event Shows Area Spirit

Since the devastating Southern California fires several weeks ago, individuals, families, as well as business owners are working on putting their lives back together, with help from organizations within the city, county and state. Just weeks ago, the Fallbrook Community Center was packed with victims of the fires. Yet through supplies from charities and other philanthropists, victims received food, clothing, shelter and emotional support. During the last week of October, as many as 300 to 360 people visited the commmnity center, representing between 1,000 to 1,600 households, said Heather Dauler, Captain of Fallbrook Local Assistance Center. "Now, we get less than 37 households," she added. The community that once was charred by fire, gathered together November 25 to mark their survival and issue a collective tribute to Fallbrook's continuing recovery. Dauler's assistance center was occupied with mental health and public health workers just after the fires. "After the fires, we had tents set almost everywhere with at least 50 computers to assist with emergency food stamps, as well as the Red Cross offering of hot meals," Dauler said. Government disaster assistance, like FEMA, was there to cover the basic needs of victims, who included homeowners, renters and business owners. "The main thing is that people apply, apply, apply!" said William Lindsey, a FEMA spokesman. "People who lost their jobs or income and were affected directly receive assistance as well through FEMA. The state administrates funds for time they've lost due the disaster," said Lindsey. All of that, while essential, seemed secondary to the day of rejoicing. "Although the fires have done tremendous damage geographically, the spirit of the citizens of San Diego County continues to be uplifting," said Sid Morel, Division Chief Fire Marshal. Representative of this uplifting spirit, citizens came out in support of the fundraiser event After the Ashes. This event was geared toward the people in Fallbrook who lost their homes or were affected by the fires. The function, which resembled a fair or carnival, was filled with different types of booths, auctions, games, many musical bands, food, a wine tasting area, and an outside restaurant setting. Most attendees seemed to be enjoying themselves, especially at the massage booth, where participants gave out massages at a cost of $1 for a minute. In light of the devastation wrought by the recent fires, the resolve of the citizens in the San Diego County area was quite something to behold, observers said. If the knowledge of the fires and their aftermath was heavy on the minds of those who came to the After the Ashes event, there was little outward sign of it, as patrons of the various booths and kiosks created some happiness for all those who attended. The life and the spirit that surrounded the grounds almost obliterated altogether the fact that there had even been any fires at all.

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