Editor’s Note: For those interested in helping, many groups have stopped accepting donations. Check or call with individual places before dropping anything off.
If you are a group that is no longer taking donations, please contact admin@voiceofoc.org
Two major fires – the Eaton and Palisades fires – have burned more than 12,000 structures and continue to rip through Los Angeles county amidst containment efforts.
At least 25 individuals have died in the blazes and more than 100,000 have been displaced as of Monday morning.
Orange County is currently under a red flag fire warning and wind advisory from the National Weather Service until Wednesday night.
[Read: How Ready is Orange County for a Wildfire?]
Recovery efforts are underway in Los Angeles and neighboring counties, with organizations calling for financial donations – as some locations are experiencing an excess of donations.
Here are a few places to find information, volunteer and donate:
Places to Find Information
Wildfire Relief Resource Hotline
The Malibu Foundation, the Kindness Hub and GuestOS are partnered in offering a 24/7 wildlife relief resource hotline.
Call (831) 480-5016 to learn how and where to donate items, pick up items, access housing and assist animals.
Watch Duty
Watch Duty, a nonprofit providing alerts for wildfires and firefighting efforts, provides real-time updates on active fires through their app.
Los Angeles Fire Department
The Los Angeles Fire Department provides updates on fires, evacuation orders and other essential information through their website and social media channels.
Ready LA County
Ready LA County, a notification service providing information during disasters and emergencies, provides free phone, text and email alerts.
Places to Volunteer
L.A. Works
L.A Works, which leads programs addressing ‘critical issues’ in Los Angeles through volunteering, is connecting volunteers with nonprofits providing housing, food, family support, childcare and other grassroots volunteer opportunities.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is working to provide critical emergency services to the LA community through shelters, meals, and emotional support. In the emergency shelters, the American Red Cross is providing both medical and emotional support.
Disaster health volunteers help treat minor injuries and replace eyeglasses and medications. Disaster mental health professionals offer counseling and comfort. To sign up to become a volunteer click here.
Salvation Army
Salvation Army’s Disaster Relief program is an opportunity for OC community members to provide support for LA fire survivors and first responders. The Salvation Army is currently assisting in providing meal services and emotional support at five American Red Cross operated evacuation shelters. The Salvation Army is currently serving the following locations:
- El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills
- Westwood Recreation Center in Los Angeles
- Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima
- The Fairplex in Pomona
- Pan Pacific Recreation Center in Los Angeles
Sign up to volunteer for the day or become a credentialed volunteer here.
Airbnb
OC residents can open their homes to those impacted by the fires through Airbnb. All services fees are waived for both hosts and guests and hosts are insured through Airbnb with each booking.
Those who want to offer free or discounted places to stay can volunteer to host here.
Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led disaster response organization. Team Rubicon activated an emergency operations center (EOC) to assist in recovery and response to the LA fires through logistical support and road debris removal. Team Rubicon works with LA emergency managers and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) to stay up to date on how best to help those affected by the fires.
Sign up to become a Greyshirt volunteer here.
National Emergency Child Support Network
The National Emergency Child Support Network provides families impacted by the fires with free child care.
Volunteers may be assigned to help in a family’s home, disaster shelter, or a temporary child care center at a workplace when disasters shut down schools and daycare facilities. Volunteers must be 18 years old or older, pass a background check, have reliable transportation, and complete a 2 hour training program.
To sign up to become a volunteer and view the listed training sessions click here.
LA Regional Food Bank
The LA Regional Food Bank is a vital resource, bringing food to LA community members impacted by the fires. Volunteers work a few hours a day to help sort, collect, and box food to be distributed to over 600 agency partners. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old, and wear closed toed shoes.
To register to become a volunteer click here or call Ana Martinez, Senior Director of Volunteer Services and Partnerships at (323) 234-3030, extension 144.
OC Fire Watch
OC Fire Watch Network is a local group of specially trained volunteers committed to preventing arson, detect fires early, and educate the public on fire risks. These volunteers play a crucial role in preventing destructive wildfires. Volunteers must complete a background check and a series of training courses.
To volunteer to keep OC safe and learn more about the program email Tony Pointer at tpointer@irconservancy.org.
Places to Donate
The American Red Cross – LA and Southern California Region
The American Red Cross has been actively providing disaster relief to those affected by the recent California wildfires, including shelter, meals and other emergency resources for those displaced by the fires.
In a recent social media post, the Red Cross emphasized financial donations are preferred over physical items to ensure more efficient allocation of resources.
While they may not be accepting physical items such as clothing, they recommend contacting 211LA to be connected with local organizations specializing in handling and distributing those types of donations.
Blood Donations
Severe winter weather and wildfires have forced thousands of blood donations to go uncollected, resulting in an emergency shortage of platelets and types O-negative and B-negative blood.
Those who want to donate blood or platelets can use the Red Cross Blood Donor app or visit www.redcrossblood.org to find a local blood drive or donation center.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has been focused on providing critical wildfire relief by supporting those affected by the fires with shelter, meals and essential services.
In a recent press release, the organization stated that financial gifts are most helpful, due to logistical challenges of receiving donations.
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting hunger and providing disaster relief. Aiding those affected by the wildfires, they’re actively working with a network of over 600 partner agencies to distribute food and essential supplies to displaced individuals and families.
Currently, monetary donations are the most efficient way to support their wildfire relief efforts.
Non-food items – hygiene products, phone chargers, socks, battery packs and other essential products – are also needed in addition to non-perishable food items.
Donations are welcome at their two distribution centers:
- 1734 East 41st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90058
- 2300 Pellissier Place, Industry, CA 90601
The distribution centers are open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
To support the LA Food Bank’s wildfire relief efforts, visit www.lafoodbank.org.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is responding to the impacts of the LA wildfires through their Disaster Response Fund, which goes to providing essential resources to those in affected communities. The fund helps them with assessing shelter and housing needs to assist communities in rebuilding. To support Habitat for Humanity’s mission in immediate and long-term recovery efforts go to www.habitat.org.
Evacuation Shelters
LA Metro YMCAs
YMCAs in LA are open for services including free childcare and essential items for those displaced by the fires.
Online monetary donations can be made here. Pasadena Sierra Madre YMCA and Santa Anita YMCA are the locations in need of the most donations, according to the YMCA’s website.
Pasadena Convention Center
The Pasadena Convention Center is open for shelter for those who have been affected by the LA fires.
Physical donations and volunteers are no longer needed, but monetary donations going towards relief efforts can be made here.
Animal Evacuation Shelters
Pasadena Humane
Pasadena Humane has taken in over 400 of animals as a result of fires in LA.
The shelter is no longer accepting physical donations, but monetary contributions can be made here. Donations go towards medical supplies and other resources to treat injured animals.
Baldwin Park Animal Care Center
The Baldwin Park Animal Care Center is accepting small animals that have been displaced.
Donations items can be purchased for the center here.
Downey Animal Care Center
The Downey Animal Care Center is also accepting small animals that have been evacuated.
Donations items can be purchased for the center here.
Lancaster Animal Care Center
The Lancaster Animal Care Center is accepting both small and large animals.
The center no longer needs volunteers, but donations items can be purchased for the center here.
Pomona Fairplex
The Pomona Fairplex, the site of the Los Angeles County fair, has been converted into an evacuation site for those affected by the fires.
Horses and dogs can be temporarily sheltered at the location.
Donations can be made to the LA County Animal Care Foundation here to support animals displaced by the fires.