Edhat Staff
Montecito memorial on January 14, 2018 (Original photo by Lael Wageneck / County of SB Public Works)
By edhat staff
Community groups and local agencies are coming together to host a second annual event remembering those lost in the 1/9 Montecito Debris Flow.
“Raising Our Light: A Night of Remembrance, Community, and Hope” will take place on Thursday, January 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Westmont College’s Murchison Gymnasium. The event is hosted by the Montecito Community Partnership Team which includes 22 local organizations and agencies.
“We know the anniversary is important. 1/9/18 devastated our community, and there is still a lot of pain in our hearts as we approach the end of our second year of recovery. The community response to 1/9 brought us together in new ways to help and support one another and this event is an important step in the healing process,” said Abe Powell of the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade.
Last year’s memorial drew over 2,200 people. This year’s event will be held inside the gym and will include a short, 30-minute program with candle lighting, readings, and musical performances. A reception will be held afterward at 7 p.m. where everyone is invited to enjoy a cup of soup and gather together.
“We want everyone that wants to be part of this event to feel free to do so at whatever level is most comfortable for them,” said Suzanne Grimmecy, with the Department of Behavioral Wellness and Community Wellness Team.
The 1/9 Montecito Debris Flow took place on January 9, 2018. The Thomas Fire burned above Montecito in December 2017 leaving a large burn scar. On January 9 unusually heavy rain hit the area causing massive debris flow into the town killing 23 people, two of which were never found.
More details can be found here. Please contact the Montecito Association at (805) 969-2026 for details.
Updated Information
Parking for 300 cars is available as Westmont, the site of the ceremony, beginning at 5:00 PM. Overflow parking for about 200 cars is available at Cold Spring School and Montecito Covenant Church. Those departing from Santa Barbara can park at the Zoo, and ride a shuttle in.
Murchison Gymnasium
955 La Paz Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Shuttles
Shuttles from the Zoo to Westmont start running at 5:30 PM. Attendees who want to travel via MTD can hop on the shuttle at the Coast Village / Hot Springs MTD stop.
There will be 2 shuttles running from Montecito Covenant Church and Cold Spring School to Westmont.
The Program Begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception to follow
A tragic series of events. This is an annual reminder that Community Counts. Results come from individuals and not costly government. We each make a difference by contributing time, reaching out, working to fix what’s broken, and improving what can be bettered. The labor intensive work and commitment of every volunteer with Powell, Cole, and crews gave us daily hope and strength to carry on. Thanks, and indebtedness to all.
Imagine what good work would be accomplished if these people “came together” to prevent future problems such as the death and illness of homeless people sleeping out in this weather or a contribution to the services available to the mentally ill without resources or some food for the hungry in our community. Instead we see these truthfully selfish and manipulative displays which serve only to help politicians and prioritize the problems of these wealthy people over those of the real world. uggghhh
8:07 AM. What a bunch of malarkey. Go back and check the facts: Government spent huge amounts of money to remedy the problems created by this. This money came from all taxpayers not just those in that community although it is certain that Montecito had better access to these funds than do other areas. It OK to praise individuals but stop taking shots at government which is all of us individuals.
I am aghast at some of these comments. We lost 23 people and were run over by mud, rocks and the results of a huge fire. If we got assistance from government funding should we not care about the people and their families? Even minor damage came with a very heavy heart for all of the losses at that time. Some respect please.