2014)…The Wilkinson Family of Groveland, California, wanted to make a difference in their community. After seeing the catastrophic effects of the Rim Fire that destroyed over 257,000 acres in their area, Christina and David Wilkinson chose to use their talents to make that difference. Christina and David own a full service design firm, Saber Designs, and put their designing skills to work. With the help of their daughter, Bethany, they designed two versions of a t-shirt. All t-shirt sale proceeds are going towards the Rim Fire Recovery efforts. As the saying goes, “When you hand good people possibility, they do great things.” This is the case with the Wilkinsons and the people they tapped to help reach their goal. Groveland Area Involved Neighbors, Dori’s Tea Cottage, Groveland local merchants, even the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce were willing to participate in selling the t-shirts. Level One Web Design donated the website for selling the t-shirts: rimfirefundraiser.com. Over 1,500 t-shirts have been sold to date, over $14,000.00 has been raised. Some of the funds will be donated to the local fire department with the balance going to the Rim Fire Recovery efforts.

A fund donation ceremony is scheduled Tuesday, June 17 at 10:00 am at the Rim of the World Overlook on Calif. Highway 120 east of Groveland. “Paying it forward” doesn’t end there as the Tuolumne River Trust, a key partner in the Rim Fire recovery effort is matching that contribution. This contribution is anticipated to be leveraged with a grant from the National Forest Foundation. Funds will be used to help coordinate the repair and replacement of recreation signs, picnic tables, trail maintenance, and eradication of noxious weeds impacting wildlife food sources.

The public can continue the good work of the Wilkinsons by participating in volunteer opportunities posted on the Tuolumne River Trust website - http://www.tuolumne.org/content/article.php?story=RimFireRecovery. The desire to make a difference inspired the Wilkinsons to take action in a time of need and with these funds the community, the Stanislaus National Forest, and the environment emerging from the ashes of the fire will benefit for a long time.