Chuck (left) and Conni Thompson (second from left) receive help unloading supplies at the Burbank Studio. Rotary District Governor Albert Hernandez of Southern California District 5280 is in the yellow shirt. Photo courtesy of Chuck and Conni Thompson

FOLSOM, CA (MPG) - When Folsom residents Chuck and Conni Thompson recently requested help collecting supplies for L.A. area fire evacuees, members of Rotarian District 5180 rallied with overwhelming support.

The Thompsons are the 2024/2025 co-presidents of the Rotary Club of Historic Folsom within District 5180. Through a collaborative effort organized by Folsom’s three Rotary clubs, the co-presidents collected thousands of much-needed supplies to aid the evacuees.

As Chuck Thompson explained, “Conni and I were driving in the car listening to the news on the radio about the fires. Given the magnitude, it seemed logical that supplies were needed. We both looked at each other and wondered ‘what if’?”

They contacted their local Rotary Club’s District Governor, Steve Turner, about organizing a donation drive at their Folsom home and driving the donated supplies to Southern California. District Governor Turner connected them with District Governor Albert Hernandez of Southern California’s Rotary District 5280 to help get the ball rolling.

“We were told the evacuation centers ran through their stock every three days,” Conni stated. “We knew we had to work quickly.”

Using their extensive network and social media sites, the Thompsons sent out a vital needs list, including basic medical supplies, essentials for seniors, pet food, and other basics like toilet paper and paper towels, blankets, flashlights, snacks, etc.

Within a short time, residents started showing up to their driveway with supplies from as far away as Courtland and Elk Grove.

The Laguna Sunrise Rotary Club even filled a pallet with thousands of diapers that the Thompsons forgot to put on the list.

Fair Oaks Rotarian Robin Gostovich coordinated a pet supply drive at her home in one day, collecting more than 1,000 pounds of dog and cat food, dozens of leashes and collars, and other pet items. Additionally, she received over $1,000 in monetary donations from Norcal Golden Retriever Rescue and private donors.

“People brought food and supplies to our house, purchased dog food through Amazon, and had it delivered to us within hours,” Gostovich said. “We used the money to buy more dog food and delivered all the pet supplies to the Thompson’s residence.”

Chuck Thompson recalled, “We realized we couldn’t get everything in one trip, even with two vehicles and a cargo trailer.”

District Governor Hernandez arranged for the couple to drop off the donations at an empty film studio in Burbank. The studio would be used to warehouse evacuation center supplies until needed.

Within 48 hours of blasting their plea across town, Chuck and Conni Thompson were packed and ready to haul the donated cargo 400 miles to Burbank.

Conni Thompson recalled their emotional arrival: “When we drove up to the studio, we were greeted by the District Governor and a group of Rotarian volunteers ready to unload the delivery. It was an incredibly moving moment for Chuck and me.”

What about the extra supplies back home?

“It will be bigger next time since we have more advanced notice. We’ve got a 26-foot moving truck, vans, trailers, and tow vehicles ready to load and roll,” Chuck Thompson answered.

As of this writer’s deadline, the Thompsons and local Rotarians are preparing for a second collection drive starting Jan. 23 and will deliver another load to Burbank on Jan. 26.