25 November 2018 | Adventist Health Feather River, the fire-damaged Adventist hospital in Paradise, California, has raised over $1.2 million in relief funds for employees.

The funds come, in part, from personnel donations from other hospital campuses within Adventist Health which operates hospitals, clinics, home care agencies, hospice agencies and joint-venture retirement centers in both rural and urban communities serving more than 80 communities across the Western United States and Hawaii.

The funds include $500,000 in matching funds from parent organization Adventist Health.

It is estimated that over 600 hospital employees lost their homes due to the Camp Fire that destroyed most of the town of Paradise and surrounding areas.

MyMotherLode.com reported that Adventist Health has pledged $30 million to make sure that hospital employees have ongoing pay and benefits through February 5. However, it is estimated that the majority of hospital services will not be back in operation for several months. AHFR employees are being notified of other employment options within Adventist Health.

Adventist Health Feather River’s medical center sustained some damage to its lower level, but the core of the building that is home to services such as its cancer center, birthing center, emergency department, critical care unit and more survive. Upon initial assessments they look to be in very good condition.

Paradise Adventist Church, a large church with several hundred members in weekly attendance, was burned to the ground. According to the Northern California Conference of the Adventist denomination, the K-4 section of Paradise Adventist Academy was destroyed but the rest of the school is still standing.

The Northern California Conference reported that all the pastors of Paradise Adventist Church lost their homes, as did the pastors of the Adventist churches in Orland/Willows and Magalia. The fires destroyed the homes of most of the teachers at Paradise Adventist Academy. The conference stressed that this information is subject to change as the situation in Butte County continues to evolve.

The congregation of Paradise Adventist Church will be meeting with Chico Adventist Church for the near future. The goal is for Paradise Adventist Academy students to attend classes with their teachers in Sabbath School rooms of the Chico church.

It is unknown how many church members’ houses were destroyed by the fire. So far, no member deaths have been reported.

Volunteers and donations of clothes and other items are not required at this time. Instead, money and gift cards are needed. Gift cards to stores like Target and Walmart can be mailed to Chico Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1877 Hooker Oak Ave, Chico, CA 95926-1738.

To donate online, visit www.nccsda.com. Those wanting to help can also text NCCSDA to 77977 to give or mark “NCC Disaster Relief” on Adventist tithe envelopes. Readers are invited to contact Ed Fargusson (Ed.Fargusson@nccsda.com) if they know of families needing help.

Photo Credit: Paradise Adventist Church Facebook Page

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