By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Editor
It was the first event of its kind on the mountain – a Community Giveback, open to anyone in need, organized by Chad Logan of Logan Construction and the Al Barro Foundation.
On Saturday, Jan. 18, folks started lining up outside the former Country Furniture long before the doors opened at 10 a.m. The line wound down the stairs, all the way to the end of the building.
Volunteer Roberta Rindenow was helping people select jackets.
Logan welcomed everyone and invited them in, 10 at a time. As they signed the registration form, each was given a bag to fill with goods arranged on tables inside the building.
What did they find there? Everything from coats to canvas prints, socks to shaving kits. There were water bottles, jeans, underwear, clothing of all sorts, shoes, blankets, pillows, office chairs, kitchenware, bath towel, toys, phone chargers and cases, kitchen towels, dog toys, Christmas decorations and even faucets.
A number of boxes had a variety of items in them. Folks were digging through them in search of a treasure.
The blankets disappeared first, followed by the office chairs. These items, like many others, were limited to one per household.
Najoi Jabali, founder of the Al Barro Foundation, was there with volunteers who came up to help distribute the items. They were joined by a number of local folks who also volunteered.
Jabali said the Foundation had purchased some of the items – overstock from vendors like Walmart, Target, Home Depot and Amazon – while others were donated.
Volunteer Jazmin was passing out office chairs.
The Foundation was founded in September 2018 after Jabali observed some major humanitarian concerns in several Central American countries as well as in the greater Los Angeles area. Jabali’s aim is to fill the gaps she has observed in shelter, clothing, nutrition, education and medicine through the support of patrons, sponsors, donor and volunteers. They hold a gala each year to raise the funds necessary to fulfill these needs.
Logan had reached out to Jabali to see how the Foundation might help folks in need in the mountain communities. She was only too happy to bring that help to the mountain and plans to partner with Logan on future events.
Najoi Jabali, founder of the Al Barro Foundation, greeted all the folks who came to the Community Giveback.
Following the event, the Al Barro Foundation posted a “heartfelt thank you to all the amazing volunteers and people involved in this project” on its Facebook page.
“Your hard work, dedication and kindness created an incredible atmosphere and truly made a difference. Together we are building a stronger, more supportive community.
“We are incredibly grateful for the warm welcome and for allowing us to come into your town and share the love we have for you all!”
One mountain couple – Jennifer and Luke Plubell of Twin Peaks – were loading up a wagon with items they were going to take to their neighbors who were unable to attend the event.
“It’s great to come to an event put on by a local business in such a time of need,” Luke said.
Logan is looking forward to putting on another such event in the future. This Community Giveback benefited about 250 families.
For more information on the Al Barro Foundation, visit albarrofoundation.org or follow them on Facebook.
Three-year-old Charlie loved the cat mask she found. She also got a pink water bottle.
Twin Peaks resident Luke Plubell loaded up a wagon with items for his neighbors who were unable to attend the event.
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