Dear UWLA family,

As the New Year begins, we are all horrified by the aftermath of the terrifying wildfires that have engulfed our surrounding communities in the last several days. Our UWLA family was not spared, and we have many students, professors, administrators, alums, staff and support personnel seriously adversely impacted by the vast devastation. But now is not the time to run away from the heat and rubble. It is time to run toward the support of members of our UWLA family to pick them up and help them get back on their feet and make every effort to assist them in regaining parts of their lives to the extent possible. We may not be able to totally overcome their loss, but sometimes all they need is an outstretched arm to pull them back up so that they can start to fight for themselves. We have all needed that strength at an unfortunate time or another, I know I sure have.

To that end, I am establishing the UWLA wildfire relief fund. The purpose of the fund will be to collect donations from anyone interested in assisting our UWLA family members harmed by the wildfires and providing immediate cash relief to any of our family members; students, professors, staff, administrators, alums, who need a quick cash subsidy to help them bridge the road to recovery. I anticipate that we will be able to give out cash subsidies of $500 per family. I will donate the first $5000 from UWLA to get the fund going. We will set up a webpage where donations can be received and funds applied for. It will be a simple request form. Once approved, we will try to get cash into the qualified applicants’ hands as soon as possible. I think that many of you know me. I don’t stand on bureaucracy. Obviously, we have to be concerned about people who might abuse our goodwill, but I am more interested in trying to make certain that we help those in immediate need, even at the expense of a few who might take advantage. Any funds remaining in the fund after we meet all qualified applications will be donated to one of the bigger relief funds that I am sure will be formed in the days and months to come. However, some folks need a few bucks now and those needs can’t wait until the funds are established.

So, I am making an appeal for your help. I am reaching out to the vast UWLA network for your support for this effort. Will you please donate to our fund me page so that we can get these funds poured in to provide immediate relief? If the fund catches on we can try to help as many as we can. Over the years, countless people have thanked me for the role that UWLA played in advancing their lives. To many of you I have responded that one day you can repay me by helping someone else. Now it is that time. Please help to the extent that you can by donating to our fund so that we in turn can do what we can to be of assistance to as many members of our family as we can who have been horribly impacted by this natural disaster. If you know of someone from our UWLA family, who either needs our assistance or who would like to find a place to help by donating, please tell them about what we are trying to achieve.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Brown