Los Angeles, CA, Dec. 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The California Community Foundation’s (CCF) Wildfire Relief Fund has granted $1.2 million to organizations working to provide emergency and recovery services to communities affected by the Camp, Woolsey and Hill Fires.
On November 8, three California wildfires broke out, leaving behind a trail of destruction and lost lives. In Butte County, the Camp Fire became the most destructive in state history, killing at least 86 and destroying nearly 19,000 structures. In Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, the Hill and Woolsey fires killed three, destroyed more than 1,600 structures and forced hundreds of thousands of residents from their homes.
The Wildfire Relief Fund’s $1.2 million in grants represents the first round of funding supporting those affected by the recent fires. Focused on immediate needs and emergency response, grants were awarded to key organizations working on the ground in wildfire-ravaged communities.
Recipients include:
Northern California Relief
- North Valley Community Foundation: conducts emergency response including facilitating and improving public access to free and low-cost health and human services.
- United Way of Northern California: connects disaster victims to interim housing and provides residents with emergency cash assistance to make up for lost work wages, cover transportation and meet other immediate needs.
- American Red Cross Gold Country Region: operates emergency shelters for evacuees of the Camp Fire and is providing meals as well as health and mental health services for individuals and families who have been affected.
- Salvation Army: supports disaster victims and first responders by providing vital social services including meals, essential items and emotional care.
- Northern Valley Catholic Social Services: deploys volunteers to assist affected communities with the recovery process, including providing emergency aid resources for immigrant and low-income communities.
- North Valley Animal Disaster Group: conducts rescue, recovery, and reunification efforts for animals affected by the Camp fire.
Southern California Relief
- Ventura County Community Foundation: provides shelter and long-term housing, legal services, education, healthcare and other resources to meet immediate and long-term needs of disaster victims including undocumented immigrant and refugee families who have been affected.
- Boys and Girls Club Malibu, Malibu Fire Relief Fund: conducts immediate emergency relief efforts including providing individuals and families with interim housing, food, water, clothing, transportation, medical supplies and school materials.
- Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: provides essential equipment, training and public outreach programs to the firefighters and first responders who protect our communities, property and the environment.
- Ventura County Animal Services: rescues and provides supplies for animals evacuated from the areas affected by the Woolsey and Hill fires.
- Big Heart Ranch: is providing shelter, food and medical attention for animals who escaped the Woolsey Fire.
In the coming months, additional grants focused on the longer-term recovery effort will be awarded.
Grants from the Wildfire Relief Fund are made possible by the generosity of donors across the globe who reached out to help in the wake of these tragic disasters. Since the fires began, more than 15,000 individuals, families, foundations and corporations opened their hearts and wallets to support those who have experienced losses. From major celebrities to small local businesses, kindergarten classes to college basketball teams, their gifts demonstrate how much can be accomplished when we come together to help those in need.
“In the wake of such destruction and loss, we are inspired by this incredible outpouring of generosity,” said CCF President & CEO Antonia Hernández. “The California Community Foundation is proud to partner with so many passionate donors and nonprofits to help communities affected by the fires to not just recover, but rebound.”
The California Community Foundation has served as a public, charitable organization since 1915, empowering donors to pursue their own personal passions and to collaborate with us in addressing the root causes of challenges in Los Angeles County. CCF stewards $1.7 billion in assets and manages 1,700 charitable foundations, funds and legacies. For more information, please visit calfund.org.
The California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund supports immediate and longer-term recovery efforts for major California wildfires, as well as preparedness efforts. Since 2003, the fund has granted more than $6 million to support relief and recovery efforts throughout the state. For more information, please visit calfund.org/wildfire.
CONTACT: Roshin Mathew The California Community Foundation (213) 452-6229 rmathew@calfund.org