GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Gridley’s Camp Fire Distribution Center has been the beneficiary of a sizeable donation.

The aging building on the corner of Hazel and Kentucky Streets in downtown Gridley has been without heat, and most notably, without air conditioning, since before becoming home to the Camp Fire Distribution Center.

Community members, volunteers, the Gridley Relief Group (GRG), church groups and Gridley Area Chamber of Commerce members have spent time organizing donations in the building, very often in sweltering heat. Lynne Spencer, who runs the center says that temperatures can climb upwards of 100 degrees inside by as early as 7:00 am, damaging fresh produce, making it difficult for volunteers as they stock the shelves, and highly uncomfortable for survivors as they select supplies. The GRG has investigated avenues and funding to replace or repair the current HVAC system, but the $25,000 price tag has been a hurdle that was unable to be cleared. Then along came Kate.

Spencer, who continuous to organize donations and schedule supply pick-ups for survivors, even though COVID19 has closed center doors, crossed paths with Kate Wilson in early 2020. Wilson was working to help Camp Fire survivors after witnessing the devastation of fire that touched someone close to her and found an ally in Manou Sinoncelli. Together, yet in contrasting ways, these two huge-hearted ladies have been working alongside each other to provide relief to survivors.

While Sinoncelli tirelessly searches for donations, mostly of second-hand nature, Wilson is quick to open her pocketbook to fund the humanitarian efforts. Over the course of her work, Wilson has bought and received donations of new, high-quality goods, purchased a truck for relief workers and a Mercedes van the size of a small bus for herself and Sinoncelli to transport donations from all over the north state. Endless hours of time have been spent organizing, traveling and delivering goods, and now Wilson has procured a new HVAC system for the Distribution Center. Wilson funded the replacement system through a $25,000 grant from the Marin Community Foundation, which she created.

Ultimately, it all goes back to the size of Wilson’s heart and desire to do good. Of Wilson’s generosity Sinoncelli says, “You have never seen a kid so happy in a Christmas shop like Kate Wilson” giving out donations. “She was like a kid in Toys ‘R’ Us. And that’s here (she clutches her fist to her heart); it’s not here (she motions to her purse).”

Whatever the course, much thanks goes to Wilson for her charitable donation to the center and the generous work of all three amazing women.