I also had a major house fire (a few months after purchasing my first home) and was extremely lucky that most items with sentimental value were spared. But, yeah, even over 20 years later, I can experience each of the five senses of that night. It's not an experience I would wish on anyone. Thank you for these words, as always, Pete. (Even though you made me cry thinking of Charlie the cat.
It brought a tear to my eyes about you losing your pets. I am sorry for you and everyone’s loss. Hope to help all of us somehow, someway, someday soon.
Hi Janie- FYI: I'm taking the link to the Red Cross down from the post online. I'm told there were issues with them in the past. And WCK gets a solid 100% on Charity Navigator and is doing great work.
I really appreciate your responsiveness. That’s awesome! I was just listening to Ijeoma Oluo‘s most recent post on Substack where she speaks eloquently about the importance of supporting local mutual aid groups on the ground during disasters and not national organizations. I was going to forward it to you, but I was afraid you would think I was starting to be a stalker 😂
I appreciate your suggestion. I just added WCK to the post.
Before sending out my post, I looked the Red Cross up on Charity Navigator and saw they have a 99% score and 4-star rating. And folks can select and choose to support the California Fires specifically.
thanks for adding WCK. I'm pleased you feel good about the Red Cross. I've read too many negative reports over the years to trust them personally, so I rely on people I trust (such as substack contributors Jess Craven and Robert Hubbell) and follow their advice generally - they are both Angelinos so I particularly trust their input currently. Thanks and appreciate your supporting these herculean efforts.
Robert Hubell links to Indivisible Santa Barbara in his substack entitled "Today's Edition Newsletter". He's reliable and does a good job of vetting in general.
"2. Los Angeles Fires
The devastating fires that have laid waste to whole communities of Pacific Palisades and Altadena in greater Los Angeles have left us all in shock. In the midst of tragedy, community support in the form of contribution of food, clothing, and supplies for fire fighters and victims of the conflagration proved to be overwhelming, to the point where some distribution centers had more than they could handle. While these contributions have helped meet the immediate needs of those who lost everything in the fires, the need for financial aid and other forms of assistance will extend long into the future.
I also had a major house fire (a few months after purchasing my first home) and was extremely lucky that most items with sentimental value were spared. But, yeah, even over 20 years later, I can experience each of the five senses of that night. It's not an experience I would wish on anyone. Thank you for these words, as always, Pete. (Even though you made me cry thinking of Charlie the cat.
Hi Sylvan- Thanks for the note. I'm sorry to hear about your house fire. Losing Charlie and Butch was tough, to say the least. Take care.
It brought a tear to my eyes about you losing your pets. I am sorry for you and everyone’s loss. Hope to help all of us somehow, someway, someday soon.
Thanks, Brian. That's sweet of you.
Such loss- it's really hard to fathom the magnitude- homes, businesses, pets, wildlife... Thanks for posting...
Hi Debbie- I know... it's unbelievable—a massive tragedy.
you might consider giving to the world central kitchen. i'm often leery of the Red Cross - so much red tape and less clear that donations go directly to support folks on the ground rather than feed the organization. https://wck.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAp4O8BhAkEiwAqv2UqGOMhTvoAlORA7bEkvwVUzZH51GWasujr-NU0KA2sstFkksj5f39xRoChuwQAvD_BwE
Hi Janie- FYI: I'm taking the link to the Red Cross down from the post online. I'm told there were issues with them in the past. And WCK gets a solid 100% on Charity Navigator and is doing great work.
Thanks again for the note.
Pete
I really appreciate your responsiveness. That’s awesome! I was just listening to Ijeoma Oluo‘s most recent post on Substack where she speaks eloquently about the importance of supporting local mutual aid groups on the ground during disasters and not national organizations. I was going to forward it to you, but I was afraid you would think I was starting to be a stalker 😂
Thank you, Janie-
I appreciate your suggestion. I just added WCK to the post.
Before sending out my post, I looked the Red Cross up on Charity Navigator and saw they have a 99% score and 4-star rating. And folks can select and choose to support the California Fires specifically.
So I think that is a good way to go.
If I’m missing something, please let me know.
Thanks,
Pete
thanks for adding WCK. I'm pleased you feel good about the Red Cross. I've read too many negative reports over the years to trust them personally, so I rely on people I trust (such as substack contributors Jess Craven and Robert Hubbell) and follow their advice generally - they are both Angelinos so I particularly trust their input currently. Thanks and appreciate your supporting these herculean efforts.
Robert Hubell links to Indivisible Santa Barbara in his substack entitled "Today's Edition Newsletter". He's reliable and does a good job of vetting in general.
"2. Los Angeles Fires
The devastating fires that have laid waste to whole communities of Pacific Palisades and Altadena in greater Los Angeles have left us all in shock. In the midst of tragedy, community support in the form of contribution of food, clothing, and supplies for fire fighters and victims of the conflagration proved to be overwhelming, to the point where some distribution centers had more than they could handle. While these contributions have helped meet the immediate needs of those who lost everything in the fires, the need for financial aid and other forms of assistance will extend long into the future.
We encourage our readers to make donations to one or more of the following organizations that will be providing such relief over the long run. Unfortunately the links didn't copy, but here's a link to his substack. One can scroll down to find the reference to these offerings. https://roberthubbell.substack.com/p/joe-bidens-parting-gift?utm_source=podcast-email%2Csubstack&publication_id=271358&post_id=154934615&utm_campaign=email-play-on-substack&utm_medium=email&r=ind7&triedRedirect=true
Aid to Victims
World Central Kitchen
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Direct Relief
SoCal Fire Fund Coalition
United Way of Greater Los Angles: Wildfire Response
Baby2Baby
Habitat for Humanity of Los Angeles/ReBuild LA
Pasadena Community Foundation
Pasadena Humane
Aid to Firefighters and First Responders
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
California Fire Foundation
Wildland Firefighter Foundation