Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade Digs Out Montecito

I volunteered to dig out a house on the Westside in the 90's when I was able I'm not being critical I'm just grateful because otherwise my friend could end up sleeping in my yard.

Don’t get me wrong, if someone is unemployed this is a great place to get a probably relatively well paying job to help get yourself ahead in life. But I think it’s terribly short sighted and a bit rude to imply that volunteers are unnecessary because all of montecito can afford to pay to clean up. The people who can afford to pay are likely hiring private contractors. I can tell you that the houses I was working on this weekend were not mansions and the homeowners were in tears because they were so grateful for the help

And just the other day werent you saying it was disrespectful for all the businesses in Montecito to be up and running again? That they should be helping to dig people out? So why are you telling people that they shouldn’t volunteer but should try to make some money off of it?

I volunteered to help dig this weekend. Many insurance companies are giving people some grief, and will not cover some damage that occurs after the fact, like mold, unless the homeowner takes extra steps, like clearing the mud away from the home’s walls. This is backbreaking work and needs to be done immediately. Some of these people are elderly and cannot do it themselves. Some are poor. Yes, I said it. There are poor people in montecito. Some who inherited homes, some who bought many years ago when it was cheaper. Not everyone here has the means to pay people to clean. Those that do, have been hiring private contractors to come and clean. The volunteers are for the people who have asked for help because *they need it*. Get off your stinking high horse