Letter: A wonderful valley

EDITOR,
Back in June, Marion and I lost our home in Boulder Creek to a fire, and we want to thank the two valleys — the San Lorenzo and Scotts Valley.
That afternoon, I followed Sam Robustelli rushing up to the house. He knew he had a real problem brewing with the fire, but his first concern was for me. After letting him know I’d be OK, he went into action calling in the troops with Kevin McClish, the BCFD, Felton Fire, Ben Lomond Fire, Scotts Valley Fire, Zayante Fire and Cal Fire. NYFD has nothing on our North County firefighters, most of them volunteers, dedicated to our communities.
Friends in Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton and Scotts Valley opened their homes to us, fed us and shared a few stiff drinks and tears with us. The week would have been impossible without them.
I know the kindness of our local businesses is common throughout the area, and those that I went to helped without a thought. My special thanks to Boulder Creek Pharmacy, The Satellite in Felton and Jim Flynn and his team that are making the transition easier. This really isn’t a plug, but the team at Zinnia’s pitched right in and instantly eased the burden on Marion. Thank you. And thanks to all of Zinnia’s customers that have been so loving and supportive.
Within hours, Mountain Community Resources tracked me down and offered help to find me housing and any other needs we might have.
This is not about Marion and me; this is a thank-you to all the great people in our two Valleys. Marion and I will be OK; we really want for nothing. Our friends and community are the support we cherish.
There is one thing I want to ask of the readers of the Press Banner: Support those fire department pancake breakfasts — what’s a few bucks and a few calories? Support them with donations when you receive their annual ask for pledges — there is real value there.
Likewise, with Mountain Community Resources, support their annual phoneathon, and if you have a chance attend some of their events, like the firefighters, your small (or large) contribution will be repaid multifold to you, your neighbors and friends. It really is about having a quality community.
Rich and Marion Palm, Boulder Creek