Here’s How to Help The Victims of the Southern and Northern California Wildfires
As the California wildfires continue to spread in the beautiful state I call home – causing death, destruction and displacement for thousands of people (and animals!!) in California, WE NEED YOU! My heart is breaking for California and there are so many organizations that need support right now. I love and thank every single one of you, whether you’re a local Californian, or just praying for us from far abroad, for your help in this chaotic time. Out of crisis, comes community. And one beautiful thing is that you can help this devastation through donations no matter where you are in the world.
Photo via LA Times
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Here are a few easy ways to help those affected by the wildfires today:
Make a donation!!!
A number of wonderful organizations are helping wildfire victims.
- The Red Cross is providing both shelter and emotional support for evacuees. You can visit RedCross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make an automatic $10 donation. This is a beyond easy way to donate, people! I’ve already texted them again this morning 🙂
- The United Way of Greater Los Angeles is accepting donations to its Disaster Relief Fund to help those affected by the wildfires.
- The Salvation Army Ventura Corps wildfire relief fund is also accepting donations to help California wildfire relief.
- The California Fire Foundation is a nonprofit that is distributing emergency funds to fire victims through its SAVE program. That includes firefighters distributing prepaid credit cards to help victims in the immediate aftermath of the fire.
- Google is helping people donate.
- Facebook also has a Crisis Response page for the Woolsey Fire, which includes fundraising through GlobalGiving to help those affected by the fire.
How to donate to help the animals affected by the California wildfires:
Unfortunately, wildfires affect more than just humans. There are many animals displaced and needing help and donations (one of my favorite spots, Malibu Winery, which is famous for its safari animals, has reported many of its animals missing, as animals tend to flee when there’s a disaster 🙁
- The Humane Society of Ventura County is accepting any stranded animals evacuating from the Hill and Woolsey fires, and they’re also looking for support from YOU! You can donate to the Humane Society here, or purchase items for them through their Amazon Wish List here.
- The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation is providing animals shelter from the Woolsey and Hill fires. They’re accepting donations through the Noah’s Legacy Fund.
- Adopt a pet! The L.A. County Department of Animal Care and Control is asking people to go to their nearest animal care center and adopt during this emergency!
If you’re a local to CA – here’s what you can do to help!
If you are local to California, and want to know how you can help, you can:
Provide a place to stay:
Airbnb launched a site where you can donate a spare room to a fire evacuee or rescue worker, and you can provide a free place to stay for people in need here.
Deliver supplies to people affected by the California Wildfires:
Pick up any of these necessary items from a CVS or grocery store, and deliver them directly to your local fire station.
- Ziploc bags, eye drops, face wipes, energy drinks, WATER, granola bars, beef jerky, sunscreen, chapstick
photo via LA Times
Other steps you can take in the wake of the California Fires to help:
- Help your neighborhood plan for a future disaster. L.A. County has a five-step Neighborhood Action Kit to help you and your neighbors make a plan. A crazy statistic to think about is that in major disasters, 70 percent of victims are rescued by their neighbors rather than professional responders.
- Apply to volunteer with the Humane Society of Ventura County, though they are currently only accepting trained volunteers to help with evacuated animals.
- Apply to become a Red Cross volunteer.
Thank you all for prayers & donations during this chaotic time in beautiful California.
XOXO
Christina
