How to Help Victims of the Camp Fire
Last week, Eben received a text message from an old friend. It was a single image of a charred automobile, skeleton trees, and a pile of ashes and debris. It was the remains of another friend’s childhood home, completely destroyed by the Camp Fire. I remember sitting on the porch of that home on a warm, summer evening 20 years ago, when we were all younger and more carefree. It was a comfortable porch, worn in all the right ways, the kind of place that makes you want to settle in and stay a while. Now it’s gone.
Since the Camp Fire started burning on November 8, near Paradise, California, it has taken at least 79 lives and 10,500 homes. Over 900 people are missing and thousands are displaced, with over 46,000 evacuees. As of today, the fire is only 65% contained. Just yesterday, the forest behind our home in Aptos caught fire and three firemen were harmed trying to contain the blaze. We are only a spark away from facing a similar calamity. We share the same (smoky) air. What can we do besides mourn, empathize and worry? Here are a few ideas gathered from community organizations, local news sources, family and friends:
House Evacuees Through AirBNB Open Homes
You’re now part of Open Homes!
If you have a second home, room, or rental on AirBNB, AirBNB Open Homes gives you a way to easily open your home to evacuees. It’s simple to sign up at AirBNB. I put Happy Cabin on the list with just a few clicks. From there, nonprofits, community organizers and individuals in need of temporary housing access AirBNB to see a map of available listings, and then contact hosts to see if there’s a good fit.
Donate Cash
The Red Cross is providing housing, meals, snacks and reunification services to victims of the Camp Fire. Visit the donation page or call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Salvation Army teams are providing three meals a day, snacks, beverages, essential items, and emotional and spiritual care at local churches, schools and fairgrounds near Paradise. You can donate at SalArmyCampFire.org, or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) and specify “Camp Fire.”
United Way of Northern California
United Way has set up a special fund to provide emergency help to fire victims. To donate, text BUTTEFIRE to 91999, or visit the fundraising web page and select “Camp Fire Relief.”
Firefighters Charitable Foundation
This charitable foundation accepts donations to help fire and disaster victims, support volunteer fire stations, and help children in need. They also provide grants to assist local fire/disaster victims, fire prevention education, community safety programs, burn centers, burn camps, and hospitals.
This local nonprofit created to “improve the health and welfare of residents in Northern California by providing services that are currently non-existent or limited in availability and accessibility” promises that 100% of your donation will be used to directly offer aid to those in need.
Northern Valley Community Foundation
Northern Valley Community Foundation has set up a fund to assist the evacuation centers that are supporting people who have lost their homes or are fleeing the fire.
GoFundMe has created a list of verified funding campaigns for victims of the California fires, including funds specifically targeted to help educators, schools, first responders, animals and other groups.
This local organization is taking donations to purchase cash cards to distribute to Paradise wildfire victims. So far, they’ve raised $37,488 of their $50,000 goal.
The Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region has opened a fund to help those affected by the Camp Fire, with 100% of all funds raised to go to victims of the fire.
Enloe Foundation will use Camp Fire Relief Fund donations to help Enloe caregivers, patients and families who have lost their homes or been displaced due to the fire.
Shasta Regional Community Foundation Fund
The Shasta Regional Community Foundation is accepting donations for its Community Disaster Relief Fund. They will funnel the money collected to local nonprofits and disaster relief organizations.
North Valley Animal Disaster Group
North Valley currently has 50 teams on the ground dealing with over 1800 animals rescued from the fires. They are accepting monetary donations to buy food for different animals (especially horses), as well as cages, equipment and other supplies. Donate on the website or send a check to NVADG, PO Box 441, Chico, CA 95927.
Through its SAVE program, the California Fire Foundation is distributing $250 cash gift cards to those who have lost their homes.
Donate Time
An Emergency Volunteer Center is now open at Caring Choices Chico. The organization has already received over 4,000 applications. For now, they are only accepting additional applications from licensed medical personnel. Potential volunteers can apply at the website.
You can become an American Red Cross volunteer by registering at their web-based volunteer center. The website does not specify whether there are current opportunities to volunteer with Camp Fire relief.
You can become a United Way volunteer by registering at their website. The website does not specify whether there are current opportunities to volunteer with Camp Fire relief.
(do not) Donate Goods
As tempting as it may be to buy things to help our neighbors who’ve lost everything, sending cash donations is the much better option. According to a recent article in the Sacramento Bee, an avalanche of donated goods is being called the “second disaster,” as relief workers box up surplus deodorant and toothpaste and send big rigs full of donations to the landfill. If you are intent on sending goods rather than money, find out exactly what’s needed first by contacting local charities and nonprofits. Here are a few possible exceptions:
This community organization is currently requesting food donations for staff working to schedule volunteers. Contact Caring Choices at 925 487-2167 to schedule a meal donation.
Farm Fresh To You, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and home delivery service that delivers local, organic produce and artisanal farm products to its subscribers throughout California is accepting donations from the general public and its customers for Camp Fire relief efforts through its Donate-A-Box program. Donated boxes will go directly to food banks providing relief to Camp Fire victims. The CSA has committed to match every donation.
Donate Blood
Anthony C. Tornetta, spokesperson for the Red Cross, is encouraging people who want to do something but cannot afford a monetary donation to donate blood or platelets. The Red Cross has had to cancel blood drives to respond to the fires, and blood is often in short supply during disasters. To find a blood drive or blood bank near you, click here.
If you or someone you know can benefit from temporary evacuee housing at cabins like ours, visit AirBNB Open Homes for availability.
To visit Happy Cabin during your trip to North Lake Tahoe / Tahoe Vista / Kings Beach, click here.
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