The unimaginable tragedy that took the lives of 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots has left everyone in Arizona reeling, but none more than the friends, families and colleagues of the firefighters and the residents of Yarnell whose lives have been turned upside down.
The first instinct for officials at Bank of America was to help as best that can. For that reason, and to make the best, most-effective use of the services, support and resources already in place in Yavapai County, Bank of America is donating $25,000 to the Yarnell Emergency Fire Fund at the United Way of Yavapai County. The Fund will help those who have lost loved ones fighting the fire with the Granite Mountain Hotshots and the residents of Yarnell who have lost their homes to the wild fire.
In addition, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will match employee donations to relief efforts through the bank’s Matching Gifts program.
“Every single member of the Bank of America team in Arizona has been affected by the incredible bravery and unspeakable devastation of the Yarnell Fire,” said Bank of America Arizona President Benito Almanza. “We don’t have to live in Prescott or be close enough to see the fire or smell the smoke to know that these horrific experiences bring us closer together as a community. As neighbors, however you define that, we wish we could do more.”
“This tremendously generous donation will be of critical use to help those most affected by this tragedy move forward,” said Yvonne Bartlett, Development Director, United Way of Yavapai County. “We very much appreciate the quick and thoughtful response of Bank of America and its employees, both those living in Yavapai County and those whose hearts are with us from around Arizona.”
For more information about the Yarnell Emergency Fire Fund go to www.unitedwayyavapai.org.
