SPRING VALLEY, CA (October 29, 2007) – All Mount Miguel Covenant Village residents slept in their own beds Sunday evening – the first time in several days following evacuation one week ago as wildfires ravaged the region and came dangerously close to the retirement community.
“Residents are safe and sound in their own beds tonight, and I am praising the Lord for all those he sent to make this possible,” said Thad Rothrock, Covenant Village executive director.
Residents and staff had been relocated to different locations depending on the level of care required, with some residents choosing to move in temporarily with family members until the all-clear message could be given. To read earlier accounts of the fire danger and mass evacuation, please see “Covenant Village evacuation”. To read more about a special fund created to assist victims of the wildfires, please see Covenant World Relief fund.
Covenant Village staff had prepared for such emergencies and were pleased with the way in which the evacuation process was implemented. “The outpouring of support from volunteers and other care providers was significant,” Rothrock noted.
“Residents and staff send their thanks to the hundreds of volunteers and others who stepped forward to provide assistance,” says Colette Claxton, who works with Covenant Retirement Communities and served as the Covenant Village spokesperson during the ordeal, working closely with Covenant News Service to keep family members and friends updated each day through the online Covenant news report.
“Christ’s love shone through in so many little and big ways,” Claxton says. “The campus plans to hold an appreciation party in the San Diego area to thank the many people who helped during the evacuation.”
“Mount Miguel Covenant Village and Covenant Retirement Communities also send
thanks to residents, staff and other interested persons across the country who prayed for our campus and those involved in the evacuation,” Rothrock adds. “Your continued prayers are appreciated as the campus comes to full order and as the surrounding area is restored.”
