In the early days of January 2025, California was engulfed by a series of devastating wildfires that have left communities shattered and families in despair.
As of January 27, 2025, these fires have consumed over 40,000 acres, destroyed more than 12,300 structures, and forced approximately 200,000 residents to flee their homes.
The Palisades Fire, one of the most catastrophic, has ravaged nearly 24,000 acres in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu areas, reducing homes to ashes and leaving families with nothing but memories. The Eaton Fire, north of Pasadena, has decimated over 14,000 acres, leaving the community of Altadena in ruins.
These fires have claimed at least 28 lives, with many more injured. The destruction of nearly 16,000 structures, including homes, schools, and businesses, has left thousands without shelter, education, or livelihood.
In the aftermath, survivors are grappling with the loss of their homes, belongings, and a sense of security.
The Dire Need
The fires have caused widespread power outages, affecting over 4 million residents across multiple counties, leading to food spoilage, school closures, and road gridlock.
The situation is further exacerbated by hazardous air quality, with smoke and particulate matter posing immediate and long-term health risks.
The National Weather Service has issued “particularly dangerous” red flag warnings for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, indicating extreme fire danger.
Our Response:
Our dedicated teams are on the ground, working tirelessly alongside esteemed partners such as the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and local organizations like the Los Angeles County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (LA County VOAD).
In collaboration with local partners and emergency services, our relief program is dedicated to:
Establishing Emergency Shelters: Creating safe havens where families can find stability and comfort amid chaos.
Distributing Basic Necessities: Providing food, water, clothing, and hygiene kits to meet urgent needs.
Offering Emotional and Psychological Support: Delivering counseling services to help victims cope with profound loss and trauma.
Preventing Secondary Hazards: Addressing risks like mudslides and debris flows caused by recent rains.
While recent rains have provided some relief, they have also led to dangerous mudslides and debris flows in the burn areas, compounding the challenges faced by these communities. The journey to recovery is long and arduous. Rebuilding homes, schools, and lives requires sustained effort and resources. Our commitment is unwavering, but we cannot do it alone.
How Can You Help?
Our immediate goal is to raise $2,000,000 by February 25, 2025. Every donation, every act of generosity, directly fuels these projects, turning despair into hope and rebuilding lives one step at a time.
Your compassion is the catalyst for change. By donating to our wildfire relief fund, you become the hero in the lives of those who have lost everything.
Your support not only provides critical resources but also reaffirms that these families are not alone in their struggle. Recent successes—such as reopening three emergency shelters and distributing over 10,000 care packages—demonstrate the transformative power of our collective effort.
These accomplishments are only possible because of donors like you who believe in the resilience of the human spirit.
A CALL TO ACTION
Now is the time to act. Please donate by February 25, 2025 to help us reach our monetary goal and ensure these vital projects continue without interruption. Your immediate action can turn tragedy into a beacon of hope.
Thank you for your time, your kindness, and your commitment to making a difference. Together, we can help California’s wildfire victims rebuild their lives and communities.
Please visit our donation page at charity.oscaracts.com/become-their-hope/ to make a secure online contribution.
