10 BRAND STORY PRODUCED BY THE OREGON BUSINESS MARKETING DEPARTMENT BY VANESSA SALVIA In the quiet town of Chiloquin, nestled in the forests of Klamath County, Fire Chief Mike Cook stands beside a gleaming 36,000-gallon water tank. This isn’t just a water storage facility; it’s a symbol of community resilience and a testament to the transformative power of strategic philanthropy. This tank has changed how Cook and his team fight fires. They used to drive 16 miles round trip to refill their trucks. Now, since Cook’s crew protects not just Chiloquin but 1,000 square miles of northeast Klamath County, they can respond much faster. “It’s a huge benefit for not just Chiloquin Fire and Rescue, but also for numerous fire departments in central Klamath County,” Cook says. This life-saving improvement didn’t come from a federal grant or state funding. Instead, it’s one of the many lasting legacies of an innovative initiative born in the aftermath of Oregon’s devastating 2020 wildfires: the Community Rebuilding Fund. A New Model of Disaster Response In September 2020, Oregon faced a crisis as wildfires swept across the state. The fires created unprecedented challenges, but also the opportunity to rebuild stronger communities. In response, the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) joined other foundations to create a unique collaborative effort that would change the landscape of disaster response in the state. The Community Rebuilding Fund, a partnership of OCF, The Ford Family Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, and the American Red Cross, has redefined how Oregon responds to disasters. Before the fires had been drenched, then-Governor A Legacy of Resilience in Rural Oregon Lomakatsi Restoration Project A new 36,000-gallon water storage tank, paid for by the Community Rebuilding Fund, helps Cook’s crew protect 1,000 square miles of northeast Klamath County. Community Rebuilding Fund
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