Santa Clarita Real Estate

Local Canyon Country boy raises money for fire victims.

After the December 2004 tsunami struck he created Dillon’s Dollars to raise money to benefit the Red Cross and Save the Children. By initiating Dollar Days at local restaurants and elementary schools, Dillon, 8 years old at the time, was able to collect over $5,100 to help those affected by the tsunamis. Dillon and his mom, Marni Morse, thought that Dillon’s Dollars would be a one-time fundraiser, but seeing the Buckweed Fire destroy properties, just miles away from their Canyon Country home that they had to evacuate, changed their minds. 

Dillon came up with the idea of bringing back Dillon’s Dollars to help the families in need. “I thought about how to raise money to bring the houses back,” Dillon said, while he and his mom sported their Dillon’s Dollars shirts.

The final count is still not in, but from the money raised, 90 percent will go to the families affected by the Buckweed Fire while the other 10 percent will be donated to the Red Cross for the fire victims throughout Southern California.

Dillon focused his energy on organizing donation nights at several Santa Clarita eateries During the first couple weeks of November, Morse said her son focused on organizing donation nights and Dollar Days at local businesses and schools.
On Nov. 6, Bowman and West Ranch High Schools signed on to host a Dollar Day, while Gold Medal Martial Arts organized a week to collect dollars. Baja Fresh and Colds Stone Creamery in Canyon Country designated a night where 15 percent of money made went to Dillon’s Dollars.

Dillon’s Dollars plans to continue fundraising through the end of the month.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Dillon’s Dollars and donating can visit www.dillonsdollars.com. The site also includes a guestbook for people to sign to offer support to the fire victims.