Oroville (Calif.) RV/Boat & Self Storage, which recently launched an initiative to collect donations and provide free storage to local fire victims, last week held a benefit barbecue to bolster its efforts. Hundreds of guests gathered at the facility on the evening of July 31 for a rib dinner and barbecue cook-off. Raffle tickets were sold for more than 3,000 in prizes, and attendees enjoyed local music, a classic-car show, face painting and more. All event proceeds are being turned over to the Oroville Church of the Nazarene, which will distribute the funds to fire victims throughout the county.
 
After fires spread through the small community of Palermo, Calif., in June, the storage facility’s management team organized the site as a donation drop-off center, collecting new and used household goods, clothing, furniture, toys, toiletries and non-perishable food items. In addition, they collected cash donations in partnership with the Red Cross and offered two months of free storage to victims.
 
Later that month, the county was hit with the Humboldt Fire that raged through Paradise, Calif., and lightning from a June 20 thunderstorm caused more than 2,000 fires throughout the state. Lisa Beachamp, the storage facility’s marketing manager, said they decided to change their one-year anniversary celebration from a barbecue to a community fundraiser. For more information, visit www.orovillestorage.com.