As the devastating #WoolseyFire continues to chew its way through the dry brush in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, at least 83,000 acres have been charred and dozens of homes have been destroyed.
As residents wait the disaster out at one of the several evacuation centers that have been opened, a call has gone out for donations for anyone who might be able to help out. From donations of clothing and money, to animal feed, here are a list of ways you can help the residents affected by the #WoolseyFire.
Several relief funds have been established.
American Red Cross: The American Red Cross prefers monetary donations as bulk donations of food, water and other supplies can be difficult for volunteers to manage at evacuation centers due to limited space.
Ventura County Community Foundation: The foundation has set up a specific Hill Fire/Woolsey Fire Sudden and Urgent Needs Effort Fund" fund that will go to help those residents who have been affected by the wildfires. Money donated will go to nonprofits in the community to help cover the immediate needs of those organizations in the wake of the disaster. Those who wish to donate can do so at www.vccf.org.
Those in need of assistance can contact Stephanie Bertsch-Merback at (805) 330-6667.
If you or someone you know is in distress because of the fire disaster, officials say people can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Counselors are available 24/7 and offer confidential support for those people who are experiencing psychological distress as a result of the natural disaster. People can contact counselors at (800) 985-5990. You can also text them at: TalkWithUs to 66746 or at disasterdistress.samhsa.gov.
Red Rover: This organization provides relief to emergency animal shelters set up for animals who have been displaced by the #WoolseyFire. Donations for emergency shelters can be made at www.redrover.org/news/CAFires.
Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control is also requesting donations of alfalfa and hay to the temporary animal shelters that have been set up at Hansen Dam (11127 Ocras Ave. Lake View Terrace) and at Pierce College (7100 El Rancho Drive, Woodland Hills).
Crates that can carry smaller animals such as cats and dogs are also being requested by animal shelters at:
- Palisades Charter High School (15777 Bowdoin St., Pacific Palisades),
- Pierce College (7100 El Rancho Drive, Woodland Hills),
- Taft Charter High School (5461 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills), T
- housand Oaks Teen Center (1375 E. Jans Rd. Thousand Oaks).
More information can be found at www.lacounty.gov/woolseyfire.
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Photos: Kris Ankarlo, Corbin Carson, Monica Rix, Andrew Mollenbeck, Getty Images