2024 community report I 21 With temperatures soaring into the triple digits, about 200 homes in the Shirley Lane neighborhood east of Fairfax were left without water for several days. As the heatwave bore down, our community faced an urgent crisis. But even in the face of adversity, KHS and local organizations came together, exemplifying the strength, unity and unwavering commitment to our neighbors. During this time, residents were drawing water from hoses provided by Shirley Lane Elementary School. The sudden outage and lack of communication left many unprepared. Yet the community’s response was nothing short of inspiring. To aid those in need, KHS teamed up with a host of local organizations to deliver essential supplies, including water, Gatorade, food, hygiene kits, shower access, clothing, towels, disposable plates and cutlery. These items were vital for families who couldn’t cook or clean without running water. Local organizations that joined this effort included: • 23ABC • Centric Health • Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) • Costco • Countryside Markets • Fairfax School District • FIELD This list is not comprehensive. As more local companies and organizations learned of the emergency, they quickly joined us to serve and support the community. KHS also coordinated with Clinica Sierra Vista to bring a free mobile clinic to the neighborhood, providing much-needed care during the crisis. This moment highlighted the resilience, compassion and indomitable spirit of Kern County. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone involved in this tremendous effort—your hard work, dedication and generosity made a profound difference, bringing relief and hope in challenging times. Water Crisis Relief: Answering the Call for Compassionate Care • Good Samaritan Hospital • Kern County Department of Human Services • Pactiv Evergreen • Resurrection Church • Rodriguez & Associates • United Farm Workers Foundation
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