Fundraising underway to help people affected by slide

Several fundraisers have been started to provide aid to people affected by last week’s landslide.

Tammi Meissner, Wrangell’s community navigator with the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida, said the Wrangell Strong Community Relief Group Facebook page that she and Jillian Privett set up to help coordinate relief efforts highlights various drives that are underway. Those include the 11-Mile Emergency Relief Fund, an account she opened at City Market and IGA, which will be used for food and paper products needed by those affected by the slide.

Aside from food, clothing and warm beds, Meissner said there are other ways that people can donate, including money for families, fuel and other needs.

First Bank has two accounts set up for monetary donations: one for search and rescue supplies and other assistance; and a separate account for families affected by the landslide.

People should be able to walk into any First Bank branch in Southeast to make a donation. Those farther away, and wanting to donate by credit or debit card, can call the bank at 1-888-220-4446 or 1-888-540-8585.

A GoFundMe account has been created to accept donations under the name Wrangell 11 Mile Emergency Relief. It had raised more than $32,000 as of Sunday.

“We’ve got a lot of (airline) mileage being donated,” Meissner said. “We’re working with Alaska Airlines at this time to figure out if they can waive the fee of transferring miles. … So we’re kind of on hold for that right now.”

The borough’s Facebook page said that Parks and Recreation is accepting food donations for people affected by the slide. Donations can be dropped off at the community center kitchen, and contributors can put items in the refrigerator or on the counter.

Creators of “Wrangell Strong” clothing items are donating a portion of the proceeds to relief efforts.

Made in Wrangell studio owner Marina Backman designed a T-shirt with the words “Wrangell Strong” bracketing a patch of starry sky with the northern lights.

“I made it yesterday,” she said at the Thanksgiving Day community dinner.

And Nicole Hammer created and is selling T-shirts and sweatshirts with a #WrangellStrong on the front with proceeds going to families personally affected by the landslide. She had sold 100 sweatshirts as of last Saturday.