How to Help Los Angeles

I was in Los Angeles when 9/11 happened. I vividly remember waking up to learn that my home coast had been attacked.

As Angelos rallied in the streets with “I Love New York” signs, my heart warmed. In the decades that have followed, I haven’t forgotten all of the beauty this city — and its dwellers — offer.

That’s why I feel the call to share some of the links to organizations and efforts underway to help Los Angeles in the wake of the fires burning in the Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, Sylmar and Hollywood, which collectively have scorched more than 28,000 acres thus far. Thank you LAIst and Los Angeles Times for sharing these links so quickly.

• To directly contribute to displaced families, visit GoFundMe’s Wildlife fire relief fund
• If you’re looking for a legit, credible organization, the American Red Cross Disaster Relief funds helps people affected by fires, hurricanes, tornadoes and countless other crises. 
• If you’re in the Los Angeles area, you can join LAIT911‘s disaster response and recovery team, and/or foster a pet displaced by the fire (Email the Pasadena Humane Society for more information).
• California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund supports communities through the critical period following a natural disaster. Its efforts aim to rebuild and restore the lives of California’s most affected and underserved populations. 
• Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is actively seeking funds to equip LAFD members battling wildfires with equipment and supplies such as emergency shelter fires and hydration backpacks.

See the writeup in the Los Angeles Times for additional ideas on how and what to donate to help.