RANCHO MIRAGE —A Palm Valley Middle School teacher and an eighth-grader are the thoughtful masterminds behind a school-wide donation drive asking students, families, faculty, and the community to give aid to individuals affected by the Camp Fire in Northern California.

Wes Williams, Palm Valley Middle School teacher, and eighth-grader, Kaytlin Christy and her family initiated the donation drive. Williams’ family has been directly affected by this disaster. His mother-in-law and brother-in-law lost their home and cars in the fire. Williams and his wife, Gina, and the Christy family will drive to Northern California this weekend and deliver the items to the Salvation Army, Red Cross, churches and other charities in Paradise, Yuba City, Gridley, and Chico where many temporary shelters are currently set up to assist those affected by the disasters.

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Wes Williams, right; Kaytllin Christy, middle, and KESQ News Anchor Sarah Trott, left; all working, like Uken Report so spread the word of this endeavor. (Photo courtesy of Palm Valley School.)

Donation bins are located in all buildings on campus, which is located at 35525 Da Vall Drive.

Victims are in need of gift cards to Walmart, Target, Lowes, Home Depot, and Fast Food restaurants, gas cards, clothes (new or gently used items, jackets, sweaters, adult and children sizes), toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, hygiene products, etc.), and blankets. Students will help load donated items into vehicles on Friday morning. Any donation will be appreciated.

The number of people killed in wildfires burning in California has risen to 50 — including 48 from Northern California’s Camp Fire, already the most destructive and deadly blaze in state history, according to the latest news from CNN on Wednesday morning, Nov. 14. They are in need of your donation.

Palm Valley School is an independent, non-profit, private school located in Rancho Mirage, California dedicated to educating and challenging each student to achieve excellence and contribute to our global society. Palm Valley School is a proud member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS). For more information, please visit www.pvs.org.