Gerard Butler and Liam Hemsworth, among the others, lost their houses in L.A.; Martin Sheen, Guillermo del Toro, Orlando Bloom, Kim Kardashian and Lady Gaga had to escape, and we want to sincerely express our solidarity.
Thousands of people were affected by the terrible Woolsey Fire, yet to be extincted; so far, at least 63 76 persons are dead, at least 1,300 are missing and over 50,000 displaced. (Update onNovember 18, in an ever-evolving accounting of the missing).
How to help?
According to the Center for International Disaster Information, a part of the United States Agency for International Development, sending money is almost always the most efficient way to help in a disaster.
- Christ Pratt, via his Instagram profile, recommends to help the Red Cross, on the Red Cross website or over the phone by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. It is also possible text CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a $10 donation. The Red Cross also accepts applications for volunteers on its website. Volunteer work ranges from phone calls, data entry and client registration, to shelter support and supply replenishment. Red Cross seems to be a good idea at all, Chris Pratt a part.
Those who cannot bring supplies to the shelter can make cash donations on HSVC’s website. - Those wishing to support the United Way of Greater Los Angeles’s wildfire relief efforts can make a cash donation to the organization’s Disaster Relief Fund on its website. The organization’s relief efforts focus specifically on helping homeless and low-income individuals recover after fires and other natural disasters in the area.
The County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control has opened multiple shelter sites to take in animals displaced by the fires. You can make a cash donation to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation’s Noah’s Legacy Fund to support the department’s disaster relief efforts. Donations will be used to fund food, shelter and medical care for dogs, cats, horses and other domesticated animals sheltered during a disaster. - The Los Angeles County Fire Department Fire Foundation is helping battle the destructive Woolsey Fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. To donate to the foundation, visit www.lacfdf.org/donate/.
- The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation provides private funding to the Los Angeles Fire Department when the city can longer do so. Donations to the organization will help get equipment and supplies, training and outreach, and fund youth programs. The LAFD is also one of many agencies assisting in the fight against the Woolsey Fire. To donate, click here.
- California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund: For 15 years, the foundation has offered aid to those affected by wildfires. Grants have gone to rebuilding homes, providing financial and mental health assistance and helping those affected to get medical treatment.
- Ventura County Animal Services said it has volunteers and supplies but is most in need of cash donations to its disaster relief fund, which can be made on its website.
- The Salvation Army Ventura Corps is accepting cash donations to support wildfire relief efforts. The organization will use funds raised to provide food, shelter and other personal necessities victims and first responders in impacted areas.
- The Ventura County Community Foundation has established the Hill Fire/Woolsey Fire Sudden and Urgent Needs Effort Fund to support the immediate needs of community nonprofit organizations serving those affected by the wildfires. The Humane Society of Ventura County is open for those who have been evacuated and are in need of sanctuary for dogs, cats, horses or other domesticated animals. They said they are in need of 40-gallon horse water troughs and horse electrolytes. Supplies donations can be dropped off at the shelter at 402 Bryant St. in Ojai.
At any rate, Charity Navigator is a good source to consult.