LA Fire Victims Need Our Help, Here’s How You Can Support

Almost everyone in California knows someone in the path of the LA fires, or who has already lost everything in the flames. 

Reports are constantly changing, but it’s currently estimated that over 40,000 people are displaced by one of the numerous wildfires raging Los Angeles area this week. And they need your help. 

If you are reading this, our challenge to YOU is to donate $25 directly to a victim of the fires. We know from past California Wildfires, that directly donating to people is far more impactful than donating to a large organization such as the Red Cross. 

People who lost everything need support right NOW. They need to buy new clothes, toiletries, pet supplies, electronics, medications and meals. Later, they will need to refurnish their lives and find new housing. 

Impactful Ways To Donate To Palisades Fire Victims Right Now

1. Donate To GoFundMe Pages To Help Individuals 

HERE is an ongoing list of all known GoFundMe pages. Pick a family to donate that $25 to. 

If you have a GoFundMe page or know someone who has a page, please comment below with the link so anyone reading this can go and support directly. 

These are friends, family and people in the community if you want to donate directly to them:

• Sherri Calosso
• Dwight Family
• Jacob and Mena + Family 
• Oscar and Lori Benn
• Cynthia Thomas, Marie, Vlynn, and Herman
• Lifeline Fellowship Christian Center
• The Milton Family
• Brittany and Jethro
• Blackwood Family
• Peter & Laura
• Austin & John
• Kari, Clint & Nova
• Sandy Pearson
• La Tasha and Michael

2. Send Money To Fire Victims For Immediate Support

Cash is king. Immediately after being displaced by wildfires, cash is the most impactful way to offer support so those people can buy whatever supplies they need to get through the day. 

If you know someone personally, send them that $25 via Venmo or PayPal (or more, if you can afford it). 

3. Gift Cards Offer A Way To Buy Food And Supplies

Gift cards are an easy way to offer support to individuals if you don’t know their Venmo or PayPal information. You can send digital gift cards via email, text, or even via a link (so you can send to someone you follow on Instagram for instance). 

Helpful gift card ideas:

• Door Dash: so someone can buy dinner, coffee, etc
• Instant Cart: to buy groceries once they are in a safe, evacuated spot
• Target: to buy anything from clothes, pet supplies, beauty items, etc
• Amazon: helpful for when people can’t get to a store to buy goods, they can ship supplies to them
• Nuuly Subscription: best for folks who still have to go to work and need polished outfits for a few weeks (months) until they can restock their wardrobe
• Best Buy: for lost electronics (computer, chargers, phone, etc)

4. Consider Volunteering At Local Community Organizations 

Again, instead of donating to the Red Cross, consider donating directly to local, community organizations with either money or your time as a volunteer.

 HERE is an on-going list of local shelters and organizations that desperately need help in rebuilding, or with volunteers to support their efforts. This list also contains resources for free meals from restaurants, housing and animal boarding locations, free supplies and other resources. 

This post will be updated as more resources and information are become known to share. 

The Current Status Of Los Angeles Wildfires Is Record-Breaking 

• Palisades Fire (17,000 acres)
• Sunset Fire (42 acres)
• Hurst Fire (855 acres)
• Eaton Fire (10k acres)
• Lidia Fire (400 acres)

Images via Jessica Christian and Caleb Cook from Unsplash Free License.