That spirit is at the heart of White Pony Express.
August is National Emergency Management Awareness Month in Contra Costa County, a fitting time to recognize the partnerships that help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disaster. For the past six years, WPE CEO Eve Birge has served on the Steering Committee of Contra Costa County VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), a network of nonprofits, faith-based groups, and community organizations working together before, during, and after emergencies.
White Pony Express has answered that call many times:
- 2018 Camp Fire — WPE delivered high-quality food, clothing, and cash donations to survivors across four counties and continued that support for ten months. For survivors living in FEMA trailer parks, volunteers were told the WPE delivery had become “the highlight of the week.”
Tom Dearmore of the North State Food Bank later said, “They stopped and they tried to understand people, and they tried to make a connection with people. They fed them in ways that was more than food.”
- Ukraine, 2022 — Working with national partners, WPE helped facilitate the delivery of 400,000 pounds of medical supplies, hygiene kits, baby food, and shelf-stable food in three months.
- Eaton Fire, 2025 — WPE launched a gift card campaign so survivors in Altadena and Pasadena could purchase the necessities their families needed most.
For White Pony Express, this work reflects a simple belief: we belong to one another, and when one part of our human family is hurting, the rest of us have a role to play.
Preparedness begins the same way. Take a few minutes this month to review your evacuation routes, refresh your go-bag, and make sure your household has a plan.
Because resilience is built before disaster strikes — through preparation, connection, and the promise that when our neighbors need us, we will show up.
And we will stay.
Prepare for Wildfire Season
It can be a matter of life or death. Be proactive in protecting yourself and others; take the time to create a 5-minute plan to evacuate from fires. With a clear escape route, you can leave at a moment’s notice, keeping your loved ones safe from harm.
Remember, waiting for official evacuation orders might be too late – act quickly when it feels unsafe.
To ensure a smooth evacuation process:
- Establish a meeting place for your family.
- Prepare an emergency kit containing essentials like medication, important documents, clothes, food, and water.
- Stay updated with weather reports and Red Flag Warnings.
- If it’s time to leave, have your emergency bags packed and gather your family, including pets.
- Don’t delay; evacuate promptly.
For more information on creating a 5-minute plan and staying prepared for disasters, visit firefightersonyourside.org