It is unquestionably heartbreaking to bear witness as parts of our community burn to the ground. There have been so many affected, so many personal things lost, and the fires still continue to burn. As many of us sit back and watch it’s easy to feel hopeless, like there’s nothing we can do. While many of us cannot unfortunately stop the fires from raging on, we can actually be of some assistance to our community in need. There are countless organizations banning together to get people/animals/structures safe, but they can only go so far without proper support.

That’s where we come in. If you have the means to do so, no donation is too small, and no donation will go unappreciated. If you’re hoping to extend a helping hand towards those affected – or those assisting the affected – here are a few incredible organizations to donate to, and a great place to start:

5 WAYS YOU CAN DIRECTLY AID IN THE HILL & WOOLSEY FIRE RELIEF

LAFD FOUNDATION

 

The LAFD Foundation is a non-profit that DIRECTLY supports the Los Angeles Fire Department. These guys are at the front of these Woolsey fires and need supplies and cash donations to do so. Head HERE to make an online donation.

 

*I’d like to share something directly from the LAFD – they made a post letting the community know that they are NOT in need of physical donations, despite what you may have heard. LA MAG has a great article on how to help the LAFD that you should read in full, HERE.

 

 

ONE LOVE MALIBU

 

One Love Malibu is an account that was recently created by Tori Praver and Amber Farr to directly aide victims of the fire. They have a Go Fund Me page, as well as an active social media page where folks can get updates or reach out if they are in need. They also have a direct donation center for supplies if you’d prefer a donation in the form of items. They’re looking for clothes, toiletries, supplies for firefighters, and baby supplies. These can be dropped of at 5757 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles 90019 all of this week. The cash donations made to the Go Fund Me page will be used to provide basically essentials to these Malibu families in need.

 

 

HUMANE SOCIETY VENTURA COUNTY & VENTURA COUNTY ANIMALS SERVICES

 

The fast moving and hard working people from the Humane Society Ventura County and Ventura County Animal Services have been rescuing and sheltering animals throughout the entire catastrophe and are in need of donations and fosters. If you are able to foster please head to their respective websites to inquire, if you are hoping to make a cash donation you can do so HERE for the HSVC and HERE for the VCAS.

The VCAS also. has an Amazon Wishlist you can find HERE, but are specifically requesting items such as blankets, bath towels, liquid detergent, and gallon freezer ziplock bags at the moment. Keep that in mind if you wish to make this type of donation.

* The LA Animals Services has also put out an urgent emergency plea asking for folks to head to their local LA City Animal Services Center and consider adopting or fostering an animal in need. They are desperate to make space for incoming animals from affected surrounding shelters. Head to laanimalservices.com for more info.

 

 

UNITED WAY GREATER LOS ANGELES

 

United Way of Greater Los Angeles, in partnership with United Way of Ventura County, have created the Disaster Relief Fund to help those impacted by the Hill and Woolsey Fires and other natural disasters in Los Angeles County and other areas of Southern California.You can help those of our neighbors who are economically vulnerable by making a donation to help aid in their recovery with cash donations HERE, or you can text ‘UWVC’ to 41444 to do so as well.

 

 

RED CROSS

 

Quite possibly the quickest and simplest way to help and make an impact would be to donate to the Red Cross. They have made making a donation as simple as texting ‘CAWILDFIRES’ to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Please take the 5 seconds to make the change.

You can also apply to become a volunteer HERE

 

There are plenty more ways to get involved and help those affected. Aid doesn’t end with just these I’ve personally listed. Whatever organization speaks to you, whatever amount or time you can give is something. And it’s an important something at that. You can help, and I hope you will.