Help Rebuild Talent, Oregon After Devastating Wildfires

Help Rebuild Talent, OR with Sawyer Paddles

Sawyer Paddles and Oars, a household name to the paddlesports community, has been based in Talent, Oregon, for over 33 years. They were fortunate that their manufacturing facility was spared, but their local community has seen grave destruction from last week's wildfires. The devastating Alameda fire has impacted many of their friends and families, and for those in the community who have lost their homes and businesses, financial support is the most impactful.

The long road of recovery is upon us with many funds needed for this community to rebuild:

• 80% of Phoenix Elementary School students lost their homes
• 50% of the students at Talent Elementary lost their homes

Please help us rebuild Talent to thrive once again. Any donation is helpful, and Sawyer will match up to $10,000 in donations, which will directly benefit Talent residents impacted by the fire. The first $5,000 raised will go directly to help the families from Phoenix-Talent School District. See the links below for ways to donate.

A Note from CEO of Sawyer Paddles

Greetings from Southern Oregon,

This season has been anything but normal, and as we move into the time that we should be wrapping up a busy season, a disaster has struck our town. The entire Southern Oregon area we call home has suffered devastating wildfires, with many losing homes and businesses. Our factory and store have been spared, but our community is hurting. We are asking for support from you, our industry community, to help in two ways.

First, our longtime senior employee Dario has lost his family home. This extended family of six has lost everything to the destructive Alameda wildfire. We are matching the first $5,000 in donations his family's GoFundme campaign to help them rebuild faster.

GoFundMe - Emergency Family of 6 Lost Home

Second, and just as important, we are helping rebuild our community by setting up the Talent Fire Relief Fund. Sawyer is matching the first $10,000 raised, so your impact can go twice as far.

GoFundMe - Talent Fire Relief

If you are more comfortable, we will also accept checks at the following address and ensure that the funds go to those in need.

Write check to “Sawyer Paddles and Oars”

Attn: Talent Fire Relief

PO Box 389

Gold Hill, OR 97525

We understand that this year has been challenging for us all. Any amount of support is very appreciated in helping our small community to recover from this devastating loss.

Sincerely and with many thanks,

Zac Kauffman

CEO Member/Manager

Sawyer Paddles & Oars

Video Shows the Wildfire Devastation

This video from the New York Times shows how this Oregon wildfire became so destructive so quickly. The Almeda fire left a path of destruction as it tore through the Rogue Valley in southern Oregon. About 24 hours after it started, an estimated 2,350 homes had been left in ashes. The NYT crew used satellite images, videos and social media posts to track what happened.