Unsung Heroes #367

This week’s Unsung Heroes choice is a no-brainer.

When wildfires fires displaced thousands of Angelenos, WestportMoms swung into action.

Melissa Post and Megan Rutstein — the indefatigable overseers of our town’s mothers-and-more resource — put out the call for donations. Clothes, shoes, toiletries, makeup, diapers, formula, onesies, cribs, school supplies, sports equipment, bags, books, bedding — whatever anyone needs to rebuild their lives, Westporters were asked to give.

Fortunately, Melissa and Megan picked the perfect partner for dropoff and shipping.

The UPS Store at 606 Post Road East (opposite Fresh Market, next to Cava and Westport Hardware) never hesitated.

Don, the owner, said, Sure! We’d be happy to collect what people drop off. We’ll send it off. And if people need boxes, we’ll help them pack it.

Don, Nelson and WestportMoms, at the UPS Store.

They expected to send 4 pallets west.

In one day — just 24 hours — Westporters donated enough goods for 8 pallets.

That was double what was expected.

Don said Fine! We’ll cover the extra thousands of dollars. No problem.

Just like that, thousands of pounds of donations were on their way to the YMCA in Van Nuys, to be distributed to men, women and children who had lost everything.

There are plenty of Unsung Heroes in this story.

The hundreds of Westporters who donated so much. WestportMoms, who came up with the idea and, almost instantly, made it happen.

And Don, Nelson, and everyone else at the UPS Store. They went far beyond the final mile, ensuring that relatives, friends and strangers 3,000 miles away can have a little bit of their tremendous burdens eased.

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That was not the only local effort to aid fire victims.  

Corri Neckritz — owner of Groove, on Post Road West — organized her own effort. With donations from her store, and customers, 2 enormous trucks (one donated, one paid for by Corri) headed west last week.

She and her customers share our Unsung Heroes honors too.

Corri Neckritz (far right), her husband Seth (left), and the crew that helped haul Groove’s donations to California. 

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But wait! There’s more.

Long Lots Elementary School 2nd grader Austin Resnick wanted to help fire victims too.

With the help of his parents, Jen and Zach Resnick, they had an idea: a Hoops Challenge basketball fundraiser last Friday, after early dismissal before the holiday weekend.

They rallied Austin’s Recreation basketball team, the Golden State Warriors. It was last minute, but word spread.

Two other 2nd grade Rec teams joined in: the Portland Trail Blazers and New York Knicks.

The boys asked for pledges from family and friends. In return, they’d complete challenges including 1-minute layup and dribbling drills, plus trick shots.

The Resnicks thank PAL Basketball president Jordan Schur, and Staples High School basketball coaches Dave Goldshore and Chris Pickens, for their help.

Sixteen players attended — and raised $11,653.

All of the funds go to Baby2Baby, a non-profit providing emergency supplies for the most vulnerable children and families who lost everything in the LA fires.

sCongratulations to the boys, for making a difference!

2nd grader basketball heroes, at their fundraiser.

(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)