Thinking of our members, colleagues, patients, loved ones, and first responders affected by the SoCal fires
Thinking of our members, colleagues, patients, loved ones, and first responders affected by the SoCal fires
Coalition for Compassionate Care of California, Sacramento, CA; by Jennifer Moore Ballentine; 1/8/25, 6:23 pm ET
The staff of CCCC are watching as the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and other fires ravage Southern California. Our hearts and thoughts are with all affected. Here are a few tangible ways you can help, even at this early stage.
Donate to:
- The California Fire Foundation: online at https://cpf.salsalabs.org/disasterrelief/index.html to provide aid and resources for both fire crews and residents.
- The American Red Cross: online at redcross.org/donate/donation.html/ to aid disaster recovery by providing emergency shelters, meals, medical care, and recovery planning services.
- Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: online at https://supportlafd.org/donate/. The foundation is the official nonprofit of the Los Angeles City Fire Department, supporting more than 3,000 local firefighters and paramedics by providing equipment and tools to help them fight wildfires effectively.
- The California Community Foundation: online at https://www.calfund.org/funds/wildfire-recovery-fund/ toward its Wildfire Recovery Fund to aid those affected by the fires.
As always, in the early stages of a disaster, cash donations are more helpful than supplies or efforts to volunteer. That said, Pasadena Humane is asking for both donations (give at pasadenahumane.org/wildfirerelief) and specific supplies to help shelter animals displaced by the fire: pet food and water bowls, extra large crates, and blankets. Drop off supplies at 361 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena.
For information and updates, here are some helpful links, courtesy of the California Department of Aging:
- Los Angeles County Shelter Information and Locations: List of shelters in Los Angeles County.
- Sign Up to Receive Emergency Alerts
- Cal Alerts: Sends alerts about emergency situations that arise in your county.
- Alert LA County: Sends alerts from Los Angeles County about emergency situations.
- CAL FIRE Incidents Updates: Shares the latest updates on all major wildfire incidents in California.
- CAL FIRE Go! Evacuation Guide: Offers guidance for safe and efficient evacuation during wildfires.
- LISTOS California: Provides several resources for individuals and community providers to prepare for emergencies and disasters.
- Response.ca.gov: A one-stop website for information about shelters, transportation, air quality, and more.
- Emergency Preparedness Guide: Offers guidance to help older adults and people with disabilities prepare for emergencies to ensure they stay safe before, during, and after disasters and other emergency events
Editor's note: Thank you, Coalition for Compassionate Care of California for equipping so many with this crucial information! Readers of our newsletter, please distribute and encourage your networks to support these relief efforts. Ongoing, our newsletter will be posting ways you can specifically help hospice and palliative care in these tragically impacted service areas. Please email relevant stories with URL links to jberger@hospicepalliativecaretoday.com. We send support to all persons affected!