Trent NelsonLast week’s historic windstorm caused tremendous damage. It killed a man. Knocked over thousands of trees. Left more than 170,000 without power. And delayed school for many students studying from home.
So much destruction.
The Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake found a silver lining. The center started accepting donations of firewood, and many in northern Utah responded. That wood will be trucked to the Navajo Nation in San Juan County to help elders in Utah prepare for winter.
The firewood drive, held with the Utah Navajo Health System in Montezuma Creek, is still going on for those who want to help.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Samantha Eldridge and Tre Martinez help unload wood from fallen trees that is being donated to the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020.
Wood can be dropped off through Thursday at the Urban Indian Center at 120 W. 1300 South and at Esther’s Garden, 2425 E. Heritage Way (2760 South). Volunteers are welcome to help load the wood on Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Many elders heat their homes during winter using firewood to help alleviate the high cost of heating," said Mo Smith, executive director of the Urban Indian Center. "A donation of a supply of firewood helps support Native American elders during these difficult months.”
Trent has documented the people of Utah for The Tribune since 1995, earning nine news photographer of the year titles. Working with multiple Tribune reporters, Trent has covered the modern history of polygamy throughout the American West with a focus on the followers of Warren Jeffs' Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints.