How The Salvation Army is assisting with CA wildfire relief
By Rob Polansky, Matt McFarland and Hector Molina
Published: Jan. 9, 2025 at 1:08 PM EST | Updated: Jan. 11, 2025 at 8:43 PM EST
(WFSB) - Connecticut-based organizations said they are working to support people affected by the devastating wildfires in California.
Americares, the American Red Cross, Save the Children, and Salvation Army have stepped up to push for safe donations.
Tens of thousands of acres have burned in the Los Angeles area and several people have been killed.
Crews have been battling several fires, including the Palisades Fire near the coast, the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, and the Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley. A separate fire also broke out in the Hollywood Hills.
The Better Business Bureau provided donation tips to ensure people are giving safely and avoiding scams.
“You want to make sure you’re donating to boots on the ground, that means organizations that are already established that have people who can see the need and get what people are most in need of as quickly as possible,” said Kristen Johnson with BBB.
Thursday, Americares said it was prepared to deliver “essential medicines, medical supplies, hygiene kits and first aid items” to help communities and first responders affected by the fires. It said it has offered assistance to more than 70 “partner health facilities” in the fires' paths.
“Wildfires pose serious health risks, and our priority is ensuring that health care providers have the resources they need to continue delivering care in this time of crisis,” said Mariel Fonteyn, Americares director of U.S. emergency response. “By supporting clinics on the front lines, we’re helping to protect the health of communities facing the devastating impacts of these fires.”
Americares said it also was prepared to provide emergency funding to restore health services for low-income and uninsured residents.
The organization said it delivers items like medicine and equipment, including hygiene kits, N95 masks and medical supplies.
“In order to do this we work with a partner network we work with three clinics and charitable clinics and ensure that they have the medicines and medical supplies that they need the emergency funds that they need to keep their doors open,” Fonteyn said.
The Red Cross said hundreds of its workers have been helping southern California residents who fled from the fires that have destroyed homes of all kinds and sizes. The Red Cross said it is focused on making sure everyone has a safe place to stay and no one faces such a crisis alone.
Fairfield-based Save the Children sought to meet kids' most urgent needs. It looked to provide children and their families with hygiene kits, flashlights, water bottles, blankets, and children’s activity kits.
“Many children left home with only the clothes on their backs, and will need our help for many months to come,” said Lucero Chavez Ramirez, director of Save the Children’s California programs. “It’s critical we get children the essentials they need to be safe and healthy – and back to learning and their everyday, comforting routines. Save the Children is committed to helping them get that support now and over the long-term.”
Southern New England Salvation Army is working hard to support its California based teams.
Representative Mike Baldelli said, “You’re just dealing with people at the worst times of their life no matter how they were affected whether it be a fire or a flood you’re dealing with people who have had everything taken away from them.”
Baldelli said it is difficult to get food, water, and other goods to CA. He recommended donating cash to the cause.
Ways to Help:
Donations: salarmy.us/socalfire
Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY