Firefighters association raises money for victims

Costa Mesa firefighters are collecting donations for families that were displaced when a fire ripped through an apartment complex on Wallace Avenue late last month.

As of Monday, the Costa Mesa Firefighters Assn. had contributed a $500 gift card to Target, and Albertsons had contributed $50, to which local Albertsons Assistant Manager Steve Price added another $50, according to an email from Costa Mesa Fire Chief Dan Stefano. Target has also offered a 15% discount to those affected by the blaze.

The Costa Mesa Firefighters Relief Fund, which was established last week, will also help fire victims in the future, said Rob Gagne, the association’s president.

“A couple families lost absolutely everything — clothes, food, toys, pots, pans, the whole deal,” he said.

After a few community members asked how they could help, Gagne said he had the idea of setting up a fund but realized that “we can’t just do this for one family or one fire.”

He added that the association’s primary goal in starting the fund is to help children affected by fires or floods in the city.

To donate, mail checks payable to Costa Mesa Fire Relief Fund to P.O. Box 2141, Costa Mesa, CA 92628, or drop donations off at any city fire station.

— Jill Cowan

Twitter: @JillCowan