Fires reeked havoc around the San Diego County last week, with more than 300,000 people displaced and more than 1,000 homes lost in the National Emergency of the San Diego Fires of 2007. With all the destruction and loss, it is nice to know that empathy and care were at the forefront of the City of Oceanside and Vista who outpoured support for more than 250 people from neighboring Fallbrook and local areas displaced by the fires.

The MiraCosta College, under the leadership of John Hendrickson, offered their gymnasium and the Scientology Disaster Response Team opened the evacuation center on Monday night at the request of the San Diego Sheriff's office. By Tuesday night there were more than 135 people staying at the shelter with an outpouring of assistance from MiraCosta faculty, administration, students and the citizens of Oceanside.

The heroic efforts of the city of Oceanside, the city of Vista, the Red Cross and the Scientology Disaster Response Team along with hundreds of private citizens and local business create a virtual shopping mall in the MiraCosta gym fulfilling every need of the evacuees. The North County Humane Society provided crates, food, and veterinary care for more than 50 pets and volunteers aided guests with clothes, personal items, wheel chairs, entertainment while people waited to return home or find a new home.

Security was managed by the MiraCosta Police Department under the guidance of Chief Norcross and included mutual aide from the San Diego Sheriff's office, the DEA, the Border Patrol and the Oceanside Police Department. The guests were really impressed with the security and all the comfort provided by the college. One youngster was heard to say on leaving with her mom, "Do I really need to leave, I really like it here!"

The City of Vista provided a huge trailer of supplies from Costco and other local businesses like Denny's, Chick-Fil-A, The Olive Garden, Starbucks, Urban Kitchen, Islands, Take A Break, and many others provide meals for hundreds of people throughout the week.

The President of the MiraCosta College acknowledged the Scientology Disaster Response Team of volunteers for opening the shelter when no one else was able to help. Within 4 hours of the call, the volunteers opened the shelter and sent out the word for donations and help to the community. The Scientology Disaster Response Team gained recognition at the 911 disaster in New York, Katrina and tsunamis in the Pacific Rim and includes more than 50,000 volunteers worldwide.

David Meyer, President of the Church of Scientology of San Diego, acknowledged the efforts of MiraCosta College, the City of Vista, the City of Oceanside and hundreds of volunteers from all over the county saying "We all came together in the name of help and compassion for those in need. Mr. Hubbard, our founder, said 'Something can be done about it' and this is a great example of how San Diego reaches out and helps their neighbors proving that we all can help!"

One volunteer reported "It makes me proud to be a San Diegan. With all the disaster and chaos, there were so many people helping others!"