This week’s “Thankful Thursday” would like to express our utmost gratitude to all our first responders: firefighters, law enforcement officers, and many other heroic personnel who responded to the devastation of the wildfires in Northern and Southern California. Many of these first responders saved countless lives and animals in jeopardy as they faced these uncontrollable wildfires.
The US Center for International Disaster Information has declared sending money is the most effective way to help in a crisis, so the below reputable organizations are accepting donations for supplies, meals, and relief funds, with the help of Charity Navigator:
1. California Community Foundation: The foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund program takes donations for emergency short-term financial assistance and resources for both firefighters and civilians affected by fires and natural disasters in California year-round.
2. American Red Cross: The Red Cross is collecting donations to provide shelter, food, relief, and medical services to both civilians and emergency workers affected by the fires.
3. GlobalGiving: This crowdfunding platform has a fund set aside for damage from the Kincade fire. The funding will be directed towards immediate relief efforts like providing food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products, and shelter; in addition, a portion will be sent to local nonprofit partners for long-term relief efforts.
4. Direct Relief: Donations are being collected to buy N-95 masks, medicine, and other resources for healthcare agencies and first responders in the wildfire-affected areas.
5. The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation supports the Los Angeles Fire Department with private funding to provide equipment, supplies, training and outreach in addition to funding youth programs after the city stops being able to contribute.
6. Community Foundation of Sonoma County: The organization’s Resilience Fund is a source of long-term recovery efforts in Sonoma County.
7. Entertainment Industry Foundation: Funds from the nonprofit provide hydration backpacks, night vision goggles, and meals for firefighters and other emergency workers battling the fires.
8. World Central Kitchen: The organization served meals to first responders and fire evacuees at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Northern CA.
9. United Way of the Wine Country: The organization’s Kincade Fire Emergency Relief & Recovery Fund is accepting donations to support relief and recovery efforts.
10. Sonoma Family Meal: The organization reunited after last year’s devastating fires to serve local meat and produce to Kincade fire evacuees.
11. United Way of Northern California: The local chapter has established a relief fund for those who have lost their homes.
12. UndocuFund: UndocuFund for Fire Relief in Sonoma County is raising funds for undocumented people who have been affected by the Kincade Fire.
13. GoFundMe: GoFundMe has collected several relevant funds that support wildfire relief for families, towns, and organizations.