Community support for First Responders comes this weekend in the annual One805 fundraiser
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - The One805 annual fundraiser to help first responders takes place this weekend at a private oceanfront property site on the Carpinteria coast.
One805 was formed after the devastating Thomas Fire in 2017 followed by the Montecito mudflow in 2018 that took 23 lives. Community members rallied to show their backing of first responders and that continues this weekend with a stage of acclaimed musicians.
The donations to One805 assist first responders with new equipment that is not in their annual budget. It is mainly safety equipment or support gear for all personnel along with specialty needs for K9, aviation, water rescue and SWAT team units.
One805 has also helped first responders with mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and substance abuse issues.
The event set for Sunday September 17 will feature Danny Seraphine of Chicago, Elliot Easton of the Cars, Wally Palmar of the Romantics, and David Pack of Ambrosia. Santa Barbara's Dishwalla will also perform, along with appearances from Alan Parsons from the Alan Parsons Project, and Glen Phillips from Toad the Wet Sprocket.
It takes place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. They include general admission seats and VIP areas.
There is also a One805 Live online auction of entertainment and art collectables from a list that includes Katy Perry, Kevin Costner, Bernie Taupin and Robbie Krieger.
Greg Fish is the Carpinteria Fire Chief. He is also the Santa Barbara County Fire Chiefs Association President. He said, the event will bring in funds that will go right to work. "There's only a finite amount of public funds and because of that we have to find these funds. The public can be very confident that every dollar that goes in to One805 is being spent to its maximum capability and capacity."
When it comes to vital need for wellness support, Fish said, "the peer support system that has been set up in the Santa Barbara County area and the financial support from One805 has just been fantastic."
One805 Founder Richard Weston-Smith said, the event will not only be for first responders it will include many in the seats. "We're going to have a lot of first responders in the audience. We always really like to include them and their families a lot of people have bought tickets for first responders." He also said donations for tickets can be directed to front line responders for them to attend.
Santa Barbara City Fire Chief Chris Mailes said the united front locally is strong with first responders. "We are so fortunate from the Highway Patrol to the Sheriffs' department, police, fire, EMS - we really all function as one group."
He also says the front line responders feel the community support. Mailes said, "this is a really appreciative community with that appreciation comes our desire to do the best possible job we really can. To watch the care and compassion that's evolved over the years from this community and what our firefighters have as a result of the generosity of the community is very humbling."
For more information go to: One805.org
