UKIAH, Calif. – The Mendocino Family of Companies (Mendocino Forest Products Co., Mendocino Redwood Co., Humboldt Redwood Co. and Allweather Wood) is pleased to support the efforts of Operation Mailbox with a donation of Redwood lumber that will be used to build 50 new mailbox posts that will replace some of the mailboxes lost in the Northern California Firestorm of 2017.

The 50 new posts and mailboxes were to be installed, free of charge, on Saturday and Sunday in an event organized by the MendoLake Complex Fire Relief – Ukiah Unit, a volunteer effort led by community member Danilla Sands.

An estimated 60 volunteers will install the mailboxes. Each post will be encircled at its base with colorful painted rocks that carry inspirational words. More importantly, the postal carriers will be able to deliver mail to these homes once again.

“With so much to do in the recovery process, many households have had to put their mailboxes further down the to-do list,” explained Sands. “Some have attached their old mailboxes to fences, or placed them on stumps, or simply done without. Getting mail at your address again is one more step towards recovery for us. We are so grateful to the generosity of our donors, including the Mendocino Family of Companies, that made Operation Mailbox possible.”

A cross-section of donors, from community fraternal organizations to area churches, from national home improvement stores to local lumber yards, donated time, money and products to the event. The Mendocino Family of Companies provided 4-foot by 4-foot dimensional redwood that was used to build the posts.

“Those daily rituals, like checking the mailbox, are acutely missed after such a devastating and traumatic event like the fires,” said Bob Mertz, CEO, The Mendocino Family of Companies. “We are pleased to help our neighbors make a literal mark of progress towards their recovery in such a way.”