Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1314457
When massive wildfires overtook California in August, ALL-IN stepped up to help. "We asked on Facebook what people needed, and found that things like aspirin, socks and Tums were on the list," Kosta says. "Hundreds of community neighbors provided these items for their other neighbors without us having an infrastructure." ALL-IN spent 15 days in a row providing immediate assistance to evacuees, such as bring- ing an assortment of groceries and mini refrig- erators and crockpots to those staying in hotels and for those camping, food to barbecue along with butane stoves, lanterns and sleeping bags. "I felt sad and proud and all of the emotions," Kosta shares. One of the more recent challenges at press time was providing a Halloween celebration to children no longer able to trick-or-treat in their neighborhoods due to the risk of spreading coronavirus. Planned at Seaside High School, the "Hall-In-ween Trick or Treat drive thru" was set up for families to drive through different booths with their costumes on and to pick up treats, see amazing decorations, and most importantly, to connect with the community. "This isn't a consolation Halloween, it's an amazing thing," Costa says. "Every time someone says they are missing something, we tell them we will find a way to make it happen. It might be different, but it will be awesome." For more information, visit allimonterey.com or go to Facebook and join ALL IN Monterey. Kosta also helped provide meals for homeless families and started collecting supplies and clothing to be donated to those in need. (Top) Jessica Faddis helps unload donated food. (Bottom) Carmen Fergusen and Maria Fergusen are some of many ALL-IN volunteers who help our local community. Photo: Carmen Fergusen C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 1 149