SAN DIEGO — Hundreds of San Diego flood victims got much-needed help thanks to support from the community.
Flood-shattered victims and businesses were able to get a helping hand from complete strangers at a fundraising event Saturday in Logan Heights hosted by San Diego Made Factory.
“It’s a great community event. We already feel the love," said co-founder of San Diego Made Factory Sarah Anderson.
The event was held at Bread and Salt and put faces to the people and families affected. Several of the flood victims and their stories were placed on the wall for the community to donate directly.
“I think it just shows that we all care about one another," said San Diegan Jocelyn Sanchez.
The event, organized by local business owners, featured live music, food, drinks, raffles, a silent auction, and local vendors.
The money raised is going to directly help those devastated by the floods.
“A lot of these folks they had 6 to 8 feet of water and it’s incredible … yeah, incredible losses. So, so traumatic and sad so we’re just hoping to help with whatever we can," said Anderson.
Anderson helps manage the San Diego Made Factory, a 12,000-foot warehouse that offers a shared creative workspace for artists and small businesses.
All of the studios rented out at the warehouse were either destroyed or severely damaged in the during the Jan. 22 floods.
“The entire warehouse was flooded with about 4 inches of water, so it was just a really traumatic event, like, the water went everywhere into 20 different studios," said Anderson.
Thanks to unwavering community support, many of the impacted business owners and tenants are able to rebuild with donations.
“We had an incredible amount of support that we’re so so grateful for, so we were able to start that process," she added.
In a gesture of gratitude, the business owners decided to pay it forward by organizing Saturday's fundraising event for other flood victims.
“I think it’s important for local businesses to step forward in times like this. They’re the pillars of our community," said San Diegan Ian Owen.
People also showed their support by buying from local vendors and donating much-needed clothing.
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