Can you write an op-ed for either the LA Times of Sacramento Bee! (I mention the Bee because that’s what state lawmakers read) regarding the fireaid story?
Thanks for the real information. Our house was one of a small cluster of homes saved by neighbors with hoses while the water lasted and then with buckets and pool water.
I feel so invisible, I'm trying so hard to get assistance for my little family. It's really hard for us to ask for help especially for financial assistance. My mom is 68 my son is 6. We've rented our beloved home for 17 years and now it's reduced to Ash. A lifetime of possessions will never see again. Since January 7th we have moved 9 times. And EVERY TIME my son asks me if this is our new home. 💔 of course we've applied for financial assistance for numerous organizations and all the assistance we've received we've spent it on Airbnb. Not that we wanted to, it's way too expensive. It was our only option because I was never able to book a hotel through FEMA because there was nothing available. And apparently if you don't book a hotel Within a 30-day time frame you lose that benefit. That's when I felt like I couldn't go on anymore, only reason I'm still here is because I have a little boy who needs me more than ever. A mom who has taken care of me (for too long) and is spending her golden years helpong me raise my son. I heard about fundraising thru GoFundMe but I didn't act on it because it's hard to ask people for money so my friend made it for us. I saw a lot of celebrities sharing Google sheets that listed "all" of the GoFundMe accounts of families who were affected by the Eaton fire. I must have checked that list five times but never found our fundraiser. I submitted a request to be added. That must have been 4 weeks ago I haven't followed up because I kind of assumed we would be included with the rest of my dear community. After reading your article I clicked on link you provided too look for "the Ablouh family" fundraiser. We are left out of our community, the only community that we feel closest to.
Sign up for the $6, 12, & $18,000 grants. Applications open later this month but you can sign up today for updates. These are also funds donated through FireAidLa and Wildfire fund.
This article isn’t accurate. FireAid has not chosen to align fire prevention only. A lot of the first distribution of funds went to 211.org who has been aiding in temporary housing and AirBnB stays. They just announced a full list of distribution of the first $50million to local organizations who are able to reach Altadena residents, see press release below.
It was entirely accurate at the time of writing. We are aware that since publishing, this and other commentary made its way to both the Annenberg Foundation, and to some of the artists who performed, and a quick corrective move was made with a first wave of local grants. This press release is in response to stories like ours. The degree to which these funds actually make their way to fire victims remains to be seen.
It is absolutely not false. The original intention for these funds was not for them to go directly to fire victims, but to fire prevention and research. And we have yet to learn of more than just a handful of fire victims who have received these funds. We will continue to apply pressure until everyone fundraising on behalf of fire victims does the right thing and every cent raised actually reaches those in need.
I’m not sure why you’re defending old information. I’m just expressing the importance of disseminating information that helps. Applications, deadlines, process, contacts, etc. 211.org funded by the Wildfire Fund and FireAid has the links for applying for grants up to $18,000 per family so I feel it’s important to share that news. There is also a full list of orgs ready and funded to help on the FireAid site. I’m just trying to ensure Altadenians get the info they much need and deserve to have. I too have been watching Annenberg closely and along with so many residents am following the money (not the news).
And to add, every cent will not go to residents. It takes money to administer money. If a donor wants every cent to go to a fire victim they will have to personally give pocket to pocket…no bank, no app, no tech. We all need to give each other and these orgs who are stepping in to help some grace before we ruin the good intention and possible relief.
And that is exactly what we are advocating for. If people want to donate to fire victims, the best mechanism to do so is directly to their personal fundraising campaigns. And that is why we created a master document of vetted locals who need support which is included in this story and which I hope you and everyone else take the time to share.
And you’re advocating for people to refer to a list that is missing many of the black and brown family GoFundMes…mine included, and has YOU listed as the first fundraiser. Everyone has their priorities and preferences obviously so let’s not poop on other people’s efforts to promote our own interest.
if you are a member of our residents only private group, you know that we focused first on all of the people in the group (we have 10,000 members) who lost their homes first and we did that by putting out a call for our members to please share their campaigns with us so that we could do this. Mine is first simply because I created the list. But frankly, it doesn't matter if I'm first or last because as I'm sure you've noticed we have highlighted campaigns that are most in need. and nine is not one of them. Following that we have been adding everyone who has requested to be added, as well as all of those we have been able to find on our own, and we separately link out to multiple lists that focus specifically on Black families, Hispanic families and other displaced minority groups. I'm not sure what your issue is here but it is clearly misplaced. Everything we do is as fair fair and equitable as it can be. If your campaign is not included, and you would like it to be, please follow the instructions and email us so that we can add you.
As expressed in my note to you…. the list of “credible orgs” e.g. the Red Cross offers temporary and immediate relief. The Red Cross giving 1-2K to families and setting up emergency services at the convention center was a great relief, but that’s now over and Red Cross will be off to the next disaster and has evicted residents from shelters. As a community, we will need to think and unite on the longer term need and work together to build the mass amount of money that it’s going to take to rebuild. And unfortunately, a one-time $2k grant, and a month of shelter help doesn’t scratch the surface.
I too questioned FireAidLa and all the fundraising going but what I’ve realized is Red Cross is a 100+ year old org, with billions of dollars in donor money, that specializes in immediate emergency response and picks up and leaves soon after a disaster, while FireAid put together a huge event, gave it world attention, and has now distributed $50mil in less than 6 weeks. With that, I’ll just reiterate that it’s going to take some time, grace, trust, and a village to get through this.
Thank you for sharing!!! I’ve been out and seeing an organization called Music Changing Lives doing a lot on the ground doing donation drives and working with community & resources FEMA & CORE to reach Altadena residents where ever they are placed.
Can you write an op-ed for either the LA Times of Sacramento Bee! (I mention the Bee because that’s what state lawmakers read) regarding the fireaid story?
Thanks, Margaret. Please feel free to share and pitch this with any writers you think may be interested. We need to be able to tell our own stories
Thanks for the real information. Our house was one of a small cluster of homes saved by neighbors with hoses while the water lasted and then with buckets and pool water.
I feel so invisible, I'm trying so hard to get assistance for my little family. It's really hard for us to ask for help especially for financial assistance. My mom is 68 my son is 6. We've rented our beloved home for 17 years and now it's reduced to Ash. A lifetime of possessions will never see again. Since January 7th we have moved 9 times. And EVERY TIME my son asks me if this is our new home. 💔 of course we've applied for financial assistance for numerous organizations and all the assistance we've received we've spent it on Airbnb. Not that we wanted to, it's way too expensive. It was our only option because I was never able to book a hotel through FEMA because there was nothing available. And apparently if you don't book a hotel Within a 30-day time frame you lose that benefit. That's when I felt like I couldn't go on anymore, only reason I'm still here is because I have a little boy who needs me more than ever. A mom who has taken care of me (for too long) and is spending her golden years helpong me raise my son. I heard about fundraising thru GoFundMe but I didn't act on it because it's hard to ask people for money so my friend made it for us. I saw a lot of celebrities sharing Google sheets that listed "all" of the GoFundMe accounts of families who were affected by the Eaton fire. I must have checked that list five times but never found our fundraiser. I submitted a request to be added. That must have been 4 weeks ago I haven't followed up because I kind of assumed we would be included with the rest of my dear community. After reading your article I clicked on link you provided too look for "the Ablouh family" fundraiser. We are left out of our community, the only community that we feel closest to.
Sign up for the $6, 12, & $18,000 grants. Applications open later this month but you can sign up today for updates. These are also funds donated through FireAidLa and Wildfire fund.
https://lacountyrelieffund.com/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=
This article isn’t accurate. FireAid has not chosen to align fire prevention only. A lot of the first distribution of funds went to 211.org who has been aiding in temporary housing and AirBnB stays. They just announced a full list of distribution of the first $50million to local organizations who are able to reach Altadena residents, see press release below.
https://fireaidla.org/press-releases/fireaid-announces-first-grants-for-wildfire-relief-to-los-angeles-communities/
It was entirely accurate at the time of writing. We are aware that since publishing, this and other commentary made its way to both the Annenberg Foundation, and to some of the artists who performed, and a quick corrective move was made with a first wave of local grants. This press release is in response to stories like ours. The degree to which these funds actually make their way to fire victims remains to be seen.
Then it needs to be corrected because it’s now false information.
It is absolutely not false. The original intention for these funds was not for them to go directly to fire victims, but to fire prevention and research. And we have yet to learn of more than just a handful of fire victims who have received these funds. We will continue to apply pressure until everyone fundraising on behalf of fire victims does the right thing and every cent raised actually reaches those in need.
I’m not sure why you’re defending old information. I’m just expressing the importance of disseminating information that helps. Applications, deadlines, process, contacts, etc. 211.org funded by the Wildfire Fund and FireAid has the links for applying for grants up to $18,000 per family so I feel it’s important to share that news. There is also a full list of orgs ready and funded to help on the FireAid site. I’m just trying to ensure Altadenians get the info they much need and deserve to have. I too have been watching Annenberg closely and along with so many residents am following the money (not the news).
And to add, every cent will not go to residents. It takes money to administer money. If a donor wants every cent to go to a fire victim they will have to personally give pocket to pocket…no bank, no app, no tech. We all need to give each other and these orgs who are stepping in to help some grace before we ruin the good intention and possible relief.
And that is exactly what we are advocating for. If people want to donate to fire victims, the best mechanism to do so is directly to their personal fundraising campaigns. And that is why we created a master document of vetted locals who need support which is included in this story and which I hope you and everyone else take the time to share.
And you’re advocating for people to refer to a list that is missing many of the black and brown family GoFundMes…mine included, and has YOU listed as the first fundraiser. Everyone has their priorities and preferences obviously so let’s not poop on other people’s efforts to promote our own interest.
if you are a member of our residents only private group, you know that we focused first on all of the people in the group (we have 10,000 members) who lost their homes first and we did that by putting out a call for our members to please share their campaigns with us so that we could do this. Mine is first simply because I created the list. But frankly, it doesn't matter if I'm first or last because as I'm sure you've noticed we have highlighted campaigns that are most in need. and nine is not one of them. Following that we have been adding everyone who has requested to be added, as well as all of those we have been able to find on our own, and we separately link out to multiple lists that focus specifically on Black families, Hispanic families and other displaced minority groups. I'm not sure what your issue is here but it is clearly misplaced. Everything we do is as fair fair and equitable as it can be. If your campaign is not included, and you would like it to be, please follow the instructions and email us so that we can add you.
As expressed in my note to you…. the list of “credible orgs” e.g. the Red Cross offers temporary and immediate relief. The Red Cross giving 1-2K to families and setting up emergency services at the convention center was a great relief, but that’s now over and Red Cross will be off to the next disaster and has evicted residents from shelters. As a community, we will need to think and unite on the longer term need and work together to build the mass amount of money that it’s going to take to rebuild. And unfortunately, a one-time $2k grant, and a month of shelter help doesn’t scratch the surface.
I too questioned FireAidLa and all the fundraising going but what I’ve realized is Red Cross is a 100+ year old org, with billions of dollars in donor money, that specializes in immediate emergency response and picks up and leaves soon after a disaster, while FireAid put together a huge event, gave it world attention, and has now distributed $50mil in less than 6 weeks. With that, I’ll just reiterate that it’s going to take some time, grace, trust, and a village to get through this.
Thank you for sharing!!! I’ve been out and seeing an organization called Music Changing Lives doing a lot on the ground doing donation drives and working with community & resources FEMA & CORE to reach Altadena residents where ever they are placed.
Check them out:
https://www.musicchanginglives.org/about-1
They too can use the support and resources to help these families.
Peace & blessings to you
Thank you kindly!