Watching TV coverage of Los Angeles neighborhoods burning to the ground can cause a sense of helpless despair among those of us who view those ferocious fiery scenes.
But we are not helpless; we can help victims of those fires by donating to the American Red Cross.
Many hundreds of Red Cross workers have been helping ever since the conflagration erupted with wave after wave of flames that spread – literally – like wildfire.
The Red Cross is working closely with many partner agencies to provide safe shelter, food, emotional support and other critical services to those whose neighborhoods have turned to rubble and ashes, along with victims’ hopes and dreams.
The sheer extent of the human and animal suffering is virtually unimaginable. In an interview, one woman, a fire victim in a state of shock, said she has nothing left of her house, then starting to cry, she said “not even a toothbrush – not even toothpaste.” One man was found dead, clutching a garden hose he’d been using in a fierce but futile effort to douse flames devouring his home.
Our hearts go out to all those victims, but along with sympathy we should send help in the form of contributions.
To donate to the American Red Cross, visit its website at redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text the word CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a donation.
People can also send a check to:
American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37839
Boone, IA 50037-0839
You may want to put on the check’s memo line: “L.A. Fires”
Most people are aware the American Red Cross supplies almost half of the nation’s vital blood supply. But many are unaware of the hands-on help that organization provides after horrific disasters. The non-profit agency depends upon volunteers and the generosity of Americans to deliver shelter, food, clothing and other vital special needs to people who suffer staggering losses.
The Red Cross is also mobilizing hundreds more disaster workers to support the wildfire victims and moving truckloads of supplies like cots, blankets and water to be ready to support thousands of people in emergency shelters.
And even when the fires diminish or hopefully stop completely, they will leave such a vast swath of human and animal displacement in their wake. A total recovery, if that’s even possible, will take years – perhaps decades – to be fully realized.
So please donate to the American Red Cross whatever you can, even a small amount, as soon as possible, like now, today. Our donations will not only help those people stay safe and connected to other forms of help, but it will lift their spirits to know so many fellow Americans truly care about them.
