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For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(View/download .pdf)
Local Charitable Firestorm Organization ReBuild RB
Announces IRS Approval of Non-profit 501(c)(3) Status
ReBuild RB is excited to announce their recent 501(c)(3) status approval as a public charity with the IRS which will enable them to accept tax deductable donations.
Businesses and the public will be able to make tax deductible donations that will go directly to the registered San Diego County fire families in the form of grants for those families most in need.
Marcie Sands, Vice President stated, “We are thrilled about this, as our goal is to assist the victims directly, not only as an electronic recovery information resource via the website www.RebuildRB.com, but also financially as well. There are several families who are “between the cracks”, families who were not qualified for FEMA, but because of other insurance circumstances are having trouble rebuilding. After 6 months they still have not broken ground. This is an ongoing, draining struggle for them in addition to the October loss of their homes and personal belongings. We look forward to being a part of their healing and recovery”.
Rebuild RB registered fire survivor, Lanee Adair of Rancho Bernardo commented, “Rebuild RB was there immediately after the fire. It gave me a sort of comfort knowing that I could log on and find help. I could find others with a similar story, I could find resources to help me with the millions of questions that I had bouncing in my head. We were touched with prayers and words and gifts of hope because of Rebuild RB. It is now 6 months after and I am still logging on. Thank you very much for being there for us!”
President and founder, Cindy Holmstrom, commented, “Our non-profit status was greatly expedited by the prompt efforts of the staff of Congressman Brian Bilbray’s office. Without their assistance, the application process would have taken substantially longer.”
Rebuild RB anticipates being ready to take and give donations within a month. If you would like to assist them in this exciting process please call Cindy Holmstrom at 858-385-9395 or email
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. Especially needed are those having 501(c)(3), legal and/or accounting experience.
Current board members are President, Cindy Holmstrom, Vice President, Marcie Sands, both from Rancho Bernardo, Secretary Deanna Lewis, of Poway, Chief Financial Officer, Wayne Hitt, of Ramona, Director of Fundraising, Darin Stoner of Rancho Penasquitos and Fire Survivor, Sam Rindskopf, of Ramona.
Students in Washington challenge others to Pay it Forward!
Touched by the stories of families featured on www.ReBuildrb.com, a group of elementary students from Franklin Elementary School in Port Angeles, Washington decided to do something to help.
 They were participating in a school sponsored enrichment program led by parent volunteer Cheryl Baumann and 2nd grade teacher, Suzanne Keegan. The focus on the program was Service. The children call themselves the "San Diego Friends group.”
Cheryl & Suzanne Keegan showed the children the ReBuild RB website and together they discussed ways they could help. They looked at the pictures of families featured on the site and choose to help the Caders and the Newmans.  The kids brainstormed on ways they could help each family and decided to hold a fund raiser at school and in the community. The kids asked for donations from class mates and held two bake sales in town. In order to draw attention at the bake sales, they wore Santa hats, waved home made posters & excitedly asked everyone going in the store if they wanted to make a donation. One girl sang songs. They quickly raised over $400. They split the money they raised between the two families. A blanket made by other students was donated by another service group at their school along with knitted baby hats, art cards and chicken soup mix. They decided to give the blanket to Shana Newman.
The students hope their story will challenge other kids, adults, organizations and business to do their part to help out. They believe that by working together we can make good things happen. They hope others will follow their lead, and their gift can keep on giving!
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ReBuild RB News
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United Policyholders Survey Shows 2007 Wildfire Victims Grossly Underinsured |
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Majority of Claims Not Resolved
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Thank You Girl Scout Troop 8704! |
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A special thank you goes to all those who are members of Girl Scout Troop 8704 for taking the time to make and distribute small token plants to all those who lost their homes in Westwood during the October fires. What a wonderful surprise to see a small potted plant waiting at the foot of the properties with a lovely, hand-made sign which said, "Four Our RB Fire Survivors. Girl Scout Troop 8704 Sends Thoughts of HOPE and LOVE."
I for one am very appreciative of the troop members. Thank you for your kind gesture. |
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County gives fire victims tax break |
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Reassessments OK'd for 1,409 properties
By Craig Gustafson
STAFF WRITER
April 7, 2008
Stuart Robertson says he still feels the lingering effects of losing his million-dollar Ramona home in the Witch Creek fire, like when he reaches for the salt shaker and realizes he forgot to buy a new one.
DISASTER RELIEF: BY THE NUMBERS
1,409 Properties damaged or destroyed that received a lower assessed value after the October wildfires
3.1 Millions of dollars in property tax savings this year for those homeowners
2,193 Average dollars saved in property taxes this year per victim household
90 Percentage of disaster relief claims reviewed by the County Assessor's Office as of Friday.
177 Claims awaiting review.
SOURCE: San Diego County Assessor |
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But there's at least one thing Robertson won't have to worry about – writing a big check for his property taxes this year.
Robertson is one of 1,765 property owners who sought tax relief from the county assessor after the October wildfires destroyed or severely damaged their homes. An additional 17,500 owners have applied for relief because of the housing slump.
Robertson's property tax bill for his 3,200-square-foot home was lowered by roughly $3,500 annually after the county approved a significant readjustment of its assessed value from $530,400 to $178,500, county records show.
The county has finalized 1,409 such reassessments related to the fires, saving those homeowners a total of about $3.1 million in property taxes this year. It works out to an average annual savings of about $2,200 for each fire victim.
The savings are temporary. The assessor can raise taxes back to previous levels once the property is restored.
Robertson, 41, who runs a research and development company in El Cajon, has been living with his wife and two children in a rented house in Alpine.
“I have not historically been the hugest fan of local government, but really in everything they've done so far they've done a really exceptional job. It's nice,” he said.
Helene Shaughnessy, 69, filed a claim after the Witch Creek fire destroyed her 2,500-square-foot home in Rancho Bernardo.
The county assessor approved her request Friday, lowering her assessed value by about $237,000 and saving her nearly $2,400 in property taxes.
The savings will have little impact on the region's overall tax picture. The reassessed homes represent a small fraction of the county's 1.1 million properties and provide less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the $3.9 billion in property tax revenue collected annually.
Fire victims have until a year after the disaster to file a claim. The property must have damage of at least $10,000 in market value to qualify. The assessor has denied 179 claims because the properties didn't meet the threshold.
Fire victims aren't the only ones seeking relief. About 17,500 property owners – including 100 new ones each day – have requested reassessments since July 1, a vast majority claiming their values have fallen because of the housing slump.
So far, the county has approved about 1,000 but didn't have any tax savings estimate, said Jeffrey Olson, the county's division chief for assessment services.
By comparison, the county readjusted the values of about 11,000 properties between January and June last year, leading to about $6.8 million in property tax reductions.
A property's assessment is generally set at the purchase price. Taxes are set at 1 percent of the assessed value and can increase a maximum of 2 percent annually, under 1978's Proposition 13 tax limitation measure.
There are three ways to seek a reassessment from the county.
A formal application can be filed between July 2 and Nov. 20. If the owner disagrees with the new assessment, he can file an appeal and argue before a three-member board appointed by the county Board of Supervisors. The process can take up to two years but tax savings would be retroactive.
An informal request can be made between Jan. 1 and May 30. The result cannot be appealed but must be reviewed before the next fiscal year begins July 1.
The informal request form can be found at the assessor's Web site – www.sdarcc.com – or requested at any assessor's office.
The assessor's office also lowers assessments on its own. For example, if the assessed value of a condominium is lowered by request, the office will proactively lower the values of other properties in the same building.
The source of this article is the union tribune: Craig Gustafson: (619) 293-1399;
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Wildfires Yield Retroactive Tax Relief |
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2007 losses can even be claimed on amended 2006 tax returns
See FEMA website to view the article
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CNBC Business Nation: Are you insured? |
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Homeowners battle insurance companies over loss claims
(Interview with Karen Reimus)
Read the article |
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Sempra Energy Foundation Grants |
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The SEMPRA Energy Foundation has funded a total of $5 million for grants to assist fire victims. The maximum amount of each individual grant is $5,000.
Here's what SEMPRA's website says about the grants:
"Sempra Energy’s 2007 Fire Assistance Fund was established to aid fire victims and communities impacted by the Southern California and Baja California wildfires.
More than half of the 2007 Fire Assistance Fund will be devoted to helping victims with direct financial assistance, with the balance spent on rebuilding communities and homes for those in need. All contributions will be given directly to fire victims or will help to repair burned facilities, clear land, repaint houses and help uninsured people to rebuild in partnership with nonprofit organizations, businesses, and employees of Sempra Energy and its affiliates." To find out more about the guidelines for these grants, please visit their website at: www.sempra.com/community/foundation/guidelines.htm
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Now Open - San Diego Furniture Bank! |
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Now Open - San Diego Furniture Bank! Free New & Gently Used Furniture Store!
Hours: Wednesday - Friday, 12-5 pm.
Closed Sunday - Tuesday until volunteer staffing is in place.
Address: 1520 Industrial Ave - Unit 8
Escondido, CA 92029, 760-737-6898
www.sdfurniturebank.com
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