2008 Woodie Awards
Relief Provided to Entrapped Community
Over 150 residents trapped in Follows Camp, bridges impassable
Sindy Diaz
Issue date: 1/19/05 Section: News
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A helicopter loaded with 1600 lbs of dry food took flight from the Azusa Pacific University campus en route to delivering aid to over 150 people trapped at Follows Camp in the Angeles National Forest on Jan. 13.
The residents of the small community, 17 miles above Azusa, have been landlocked since Jan. 8, when the camp's three bridges, over the San Gabriel River, were covered with water, preventing residents from accessing roads to the city.
Although the torrential downpour caused major property damage to the community, no injuries were reported said Terry Eagon, owner of the camp.
On its way back from delivering basic necessities, the helicopter airlifted six men and women, including a 22-month-old child.
All voluntarily left the camp due to medical needs, Eagon said.
"There are a number of residents in the camp that are either children, elderly or impaired," she said. "They have special needs and we are doing our best to accommodate them."
Volunteer workers have been contacting special agencies for donations and have received the much needed support.
However, agencies are not the only ones lending a helping hand.
Along with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the non-profit organization which provided the 1600 pounds of goods on the Jan. 12 take-off, local residents are doing their part.
"As long as we continue to provide them with the essentials they should be okay, so it is not a matter of safety, but more of an economic problem," said Bill Jones, a concerned Glendora resident.
Jones, who owns a local store, has been driving up food to the area, where he then ships the cargo to the trapped residents by using a cable car.
The cable car is stable enough to ship minimal amounts of food and supplies, but is not secure enough to ship people from the entrapped area.
Also, a San Dimas women's quilting group has donated hand-sown quilts to the remaining entrapped residents of Follows Camp.
"It is a matter of everybody coming together to help out those in need," said Brenda Hunnemiller, Area D Coordinator for LA County. "Everyone is being very supportive."
The residents of the small community, 17 miles above Azusa, have been landlocked since Jan. 8, when the camp's three bridges, over the San Gabriel River, were covered with water, preventing residents from accessing roads to the city.
Although the torrential downpour caused major property damage to the community, no injuries were reported said Terry Eagon, owner of the camp.
On its way back from delivering basic necessities, the helicopter airlifted six men and women, including a 22-month-old child.
All voluntarily left the camp due to medical needs, Eagon said.
"There are a number of residents in the camp that are either children, elderly or impaired," she said. "They have special needs and we are doing our best to accommodate them."
Volunteer workers have been contacting special agencies for donations and have received the much needed support.
However, agencies are not the only ones lending a helping hand.
Along with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the non-profit organization which provided the 1600 pounds of goods on the Jan. 12 take-off, local residents are doing their part.
"As long as we continue to provide them with the essentials they should be okay, so it is not a matter of safety, but more of an economic problem," said Bill Jones, a concerned Glendora resident.
Jones, who owns a local store, has been driving up food to the area, where he then ships the cargo to the trapped residents by using a cable car.
The cable car is stable enough to ship minimal amounts of food and supplies, but is not secure enough to ship people from the entrapped area.
Also, a San Dimas women's quilting group has donated hand-sown quilts to the remaining entrapped residents of Follows Camp.
"It is a matter of everybody coming together to help out those in need," said Brenda Hunnemiller, Area D Coordinator for LA County. "Everyone is being very supportive."