How to help wildfire victims, avoid scams
Officials debunk Online claims of cleanup crews as LA blazes continue
By: Julia Gomez
James Powel
and Anthony Robledo
USA Today
..... It's understandable that people want to help during the devastating Los Angeles fires, but good intentions can still be impacted by misinformation. Before booking a plane ticket, ensure the creditability of any source asking for volunteers.
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To the end, officials are asking people to disregard social media posts from unvetted sources starting they can volunteer to help with wildfire cleanup in Lost Angeles County.
..... A Facebook post allegedly "claims that individuals can come to California to join a clean-up crew in areas affected by recent LA wildfires," according to Cal Fire. "This information is false, and we would like to clarify that there is no such opportunity available. "They asked people to "refrain from calling to inquire about this."
..... Addressing wildfires requires specialized training. "We don't just take volunteers off the street to come help out," Edwin Zuniga, a public information officer with Cal Fire, told USA Today. Instead, they rely on firefighters form other locates' departments.
..... Los Angeles residents and organizations do need help, however - and will need it for some time.
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Genevieve Riutort, president and CEO of Westside Food Bank, said the immediate outpouring of donations and willingness to volunteer - including form some people who have lost their homes - has been immense. "So many donations have come in that a lot of organizations are running out of space and even opportunists for volunteers to work," she said.
..... Riutort told USA Today Sunday [01/12/2025] that the organization sees the recovery effort lasting years. "As the ash begins to settle, we're just beginning to understand what the needs are," she said. "While everyone wants to pitch in right now, we are going to need help for a long time."
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For now, individuals can volunteer through trusted and reputable organizations or donate money to verified fundraisers. Here's a partial list.
* The American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles is helping wildfire victims and there pets get food, water, medical care and emotional support at emergency shelters. you can donate to the Red Cross on your phone by texting "READCROSS" to 90999.
..... Around 90% of the Red Cross' workforce are volunteers. The organization says it has over 300 volunteers on the ground helping victims of the wildfires. People can apply on the Red Cross website to work at shelters, and once it is safe to do so, the Red Cross will send volunteers to work in communities affected by the fire, according to Daniel Parra, a spokesperson for the Red Cross.
..... Parra also encouraged people to donate blood, especially platelets and type O blood. Find a location at readcrossblood.org .
* The Salvation Army is accepting donated basic needs for survivors. The organization encourages first aid kits; personal protective equipment like dust masks, work gloves, work/rain boots or helmets; bottled water or other packaged drinks; boxes; barrels, garbage bags; mops, brooms, rakes, rags and scrub brushes; batteries, flashlight or device chargers; hygiene products form soap, disinfectant, hand sanitizer or laundry detergents; infant care items such as formula, diapers and rash cream; blankets or pillows; underwear or socks; packaged or nonperishable food items and snacks; nails, plywood and hand tools; and children;s entertainment from toys to books.
* Crowdfunding platform GoFundMe has a list of verified fundraisers.
* GiveDirectly, givedirectly.org is accepting donations and says it will distribute funds to low-income families affected by the fires. The company said in a statement to USA Today that it "targets and sends cash to L.A. families on food stamps based on their zip code, reaching them fully remotely."
* GlobalGiving's California Wildfire Relief Fund is taking donations that the organization says will go directly toward supporting wildfire relief and recovery efforts in the state. The fund provides food, water and shelter to victims through vetted nonprofits.
* The California Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund is supporting basic needs like shelter, food and cash for marginalized communities hardest hit by the fires.
* The foundation for California Community colleges and the California Community Colleges have partnered to cerate the Wildfire and Disaster Relief program.
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The California Fire Foundation helps firefighters as well as their loved ones and the communities they support. By making a donation, the group says you can help :commemorate fallen heroes, offer scholarships to children of fallen firefighters, provided aid to victims of fire, or other natural disaster, and provide fire safety resources to undeserved communities across California."
* The Pasadena Humane Society is accepting donations to help support pet evacuations, and the Los Angeles County animal Care Foundation is accepting donations for pets affected by the wildfires. Los Angels Animal Services and the Los Angeles County Department of animal care and Control are urging the public to foster animals if they can. this is the best way to help relieve capacity at shelters without adopting a new pet the groups said.
* As for the Westside Food Bank, Ruitort told USA Today that its primary need was money to purchase food in bulk, through she recognized that ti wasn't "sexy." For this oho wish to donation items, she suggested granola bars. cereal, soups and stew in pop-top cans, ready-to-eat meals, hygiene items, diapers and baby wipes.
* The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is accepting domains to distribute healthy food to wildfire victims.
Contributing: Mike Snider, USA Today.