AmeriDream aids California firefighting efforts

Southern California wildfires claimed 18,000 acres this month

GAITHERSBURG – AmeriDream, in partnership with the Association for Homeowners Across America, announced today that it has donated $25,000 to the Rialto-based Joe Baca Foundation to assist local firefighters. The donation facilitated the purchase of desperately-needed firefighting equipment – such as boots, masks, and hydration equipment – to help local firefighters in the Rialto community. Recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area, including Rialto, claimed two lives, 49 structures, and 18,000 acres. Dominique Powell, Sr. Vice President of Outreach for AmeriDream presented the check and the safety equipment to members of the Joe Baca Foundation and the firefighters in Rialto on Friday. “I was delighted to come to Rialto today to represent AmeriDream. Providing additional safety equipment for the men and women who so often put their lives at risk to protect the lives and homes of others is just a small way we can help further our mission,” said Powell.

“We at AmeriDream have watched with sadness as wildfires have swept through hundreds of California communities in recent years, including the Rialto community,” said Ann Ashburn, President of AmeriDream. “AmeriDream’s non-profit mission is to help families and individuals achieve the American Dream of homeownership. If this small donation can help protect lives and homes from irreparable harm in Rialto, then we have advanced that important cause. We salute the Rialto community for its perseverance and give our thanks to local firefighters for their heroic work.”

BACKGROUND: AmeriDream, a 501(c)(3) charity, was established in 1999 to provide housing-related programs to low and moderate income individuals and families. Many recipients are first-time homebuyers, minorities, legal immigrants, women headed households, and single-parents, achieve homeownership. AmeriDream provides a wide range of programs, including homebuyer education, loss mitigation counseling, community development, and privately-funded down payment assistance. These programs are provided at no cost to the taxpayer. AmeriDream not only seeks to help families purchase homes, but also provide them with the education and other resources needed to be responsible homeowners.

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