click to enlarge The city of Eureka announced today that it is stepping up to do what the federal government currently can not: Make sure local Coast Guard service members can feed their families while they are working without pay during the government
shutdown.
A designated Coast Guard City, the city of Eureka will be accepting donations of non-perishable food, gift cards and cash donations for service members and their families at city hall, 531 K St., and will also be accepting checks mailed to the City Manager’s Office at the same address.
The city has also set up a GoFundMe account with the goal of raising $10,000, which can be found
here.
There are approximately 250 local Coast Guard service members, all of whom are currently working without pay amid the partial shutdown, as President Donald Trump and Democrats continue their stand off over $5.7 billion in funding Trump has requested for a wall along the southern border. The service members have reportedly
been told by superiors to inquire about getting short-term loans, forbearing mortgage payments and even having
garage sales to make ends meet until the government re-opens.
With the longest government shutdown in U.S. history in its 27th day, former Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen
blasted the shutdown, the first to first to force members of the U.S. military work without pay, calling it "disgraceful" and "insulting."
In its press release today, the city also announced it will be opening some public facilities — including its gym, with adjacent locker rooms — to furloughed employees who may need them.
“The city of Eureka recognizes that this is a difficult and stressful time for Coast Guard members and all federal employees,” the city press release states. “Therefore, the city invites Coast Guard members and furloughed federal employees to utilize the Adorni facilities at no cost during the furlough. Please bring your federal ID to access.”