Relief Spark was started on September 1, 2005 by Sidney Ray.

In her own words:

After reading the newspapers and watching the news on TV, I had this overwhelming feeling that I had to do something! I couldn't just sit around and watch this go by. After making a donation to the Red Cross and going out that evening; my mind was made up: I would go online and find volunteers willing to help me.

Within 30 minutes I located my first volunteer in San Diego. 12 hours later I had my first donation drive set up and ready to go. By Saturday; we had San Diego news and 2nd donation drive in Ladera Ranch, CA.

By Sunday we had filled up 3 - 24 foot trucks that were trucked to our Van Nuys donation site. By Monday; I had all local TV crews at the site airing live footage and over 80 volunteers came out to help that evening (that was on Labor Day!) to prepare our boxes for 11 semi's that were supposed to be arriving on Tuesday.

Long story short: CNN came out and interviewed me on Tuesday morning, the 11 semi-trailers never showed up so we continued to accept donated goods and volunteers showed up to help us out from all over California! By that evening, we had over 350 pallets of goods on the street.... and we had taken over the entire street!

Thinking my career in the non-profit had come to an end as the trucks didn't show up and donations kept pouring in; a blessing occurred the following day in both the news and our outdoor donation site. The news crews that were on site reported that our trucks didn't show... and we had received over 60 calls from trucking companies all over the country willing to give us trucks!

Executives from Southwest Airlines dropped by and Wal-Mart called to tell us that 7 -53' semi-trailers were on their way!

So much happened during the first few weeks. So many amazing things. Amazing, hardworking people from all walks of life came out to help. I am and the team of people who stood by my side were so grateful.

Since September 8th, we have sent out 54 trucks (a combination of semi-trailers and 5-ton trucks) with 814 pallets of food, water and needed goods to families (and pets) in LA, MS and AL.

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