Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Families whose homes were destroyed by the Mountain Fire receive a little help from the community

Money, toys and clothing were distributed to families whose homes were destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Ventura County last month
Caroline Feraday
/
KCLU
Money, toys and clothing were distributed to families whose homes were destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Ventura County last month

152 families received a check from non-profit California Strong after homes were destroyed by the fire which spread rapidly through parts of Ventura County last month.

At the YMCA in Westlake Village, $152,000 is distributed to families whose homes were destroyed when the Mountain Fire raged through parts of Ventura County last month.

"152 families are going to receive a cash disbursement," explained Ronnie Stone, President and CEO of the South East Ventura County YMCA who co-founded California Strong. "And we've got clothing, we've got pajamas, hats, all kinds of stuff just to help the families feel a little sense of normalcy and try and kind of regain whatever they can to kind of get through the tough times."

California Strong was founded after the Woolsey Fire in the area in 2018.

"We hope these things only happen once, but unfortunately, it does continue to happen. But the great thing about California Strong is we stay ready. We're able to jump at the moment's notice and really help support the communities," said Stone.

Caroline joined KCLU in October 2020. She won LA Press Club's Audio Journalist of the Year Award in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Since joining the station she's also won 10 Golden Mike Awards, 6 Los Angeles Press Club Awards, 4 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards and a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Writing.

She started her broadcasting career in the UK, in both radio and television for BBC News, 95.8 Capital FM and Sky News and was awarded by Prince Philip for her services to radio and journalism in 2007.

She has lived in California for eleven years and is both an American and British citizen - and a very proud mom to her daughter, Elsie.