Charitable Responses to the Devastating Los Angeles Fires

Beyoncé’s Generous Contribution

An update from January 12 reveals that Beyoncé has generously donated $2.5 million through her BeyGOOD nonprofit. This benevolent act aims to aid families who have tragically lost their homes in Altadena and Pasadena due to the Eaton Fire’s devastating effects.

The BeyGOOD LA Fire Relief Fund is channeled to community centers and churches to meet displaced residents’ immediate needs. Altadena, a historically Black neighborhood with a rich history tracing back to the Great Migration in the 70s, is earmarked for special attention. The foundation has been working closely with volunteer service organizations to help those most affected by the fire since its inception on January 7.

Efforts by Hollywood Celebrities

Prior to this, on January 10, as the Palisades and Altadena fires relentlessly damaged Los Angeles communities, numerous celebrities, including Jennifer Garner and Paris Hilton, took action. They stepped up their efforts to donate, initiate relief funds, and offer their services as volunteers. Sharon Stone and Halle Berry were among the stars who donated clothing to aid those who lost their homes or were displaced due to the ongoing state of emergency.

Jennifer Garner’s Involvement

As reported by MSNBC, Jennifer Garner, a Palisades resident for 25 years, whose home was thankfully spared by the fire, teamed up with José Andrés, an award-winning chef. Together, they worked with Andrés’ nonprofit, the World Central Kitchen, to provide food relief to those in need. Garner, who knew Andrés from past philanthropic activities, was enthusiastic about lending a hand.

Garner expressed her willingness to help by asking, “Can I be with you for the day? What can I do to help? Put me to work.” The actress, known for her role in 13 Going on 30, assisted in distributing meals from partnering restaurants and food trucks.

In the same interview, Garner praised Andrés’ efforts and shared her sorrow for her community. She was deeply affected by the loss of a friend from her Palisades Methodist church due to the fire. Garner expressed her grief for the numerous friends who had lost their homes in the blaze.

Paris Hilton’s Emergency Fund

Paris Hilton, whose Malibu beach house was one of the 5,000 structures destroyed by the Palisades Fire, established an emergency fund through her 11:11 Media Impact nonprofit. The fund is designed to help those who have lost “their homes, cherished keepsakes, the communities they loved, and their sense of stability.”

Hilton, a media personality and entrepreneur, stated that the fund’s goal is to “support displaced families with young children.” She kickstarted the fund with an initial donation of $100,000, promising to match additional funds raised up to another $100,000.

In an Instagram post, Hilton expressed her empathy for the affected families, saying, “As a mom, I can’t imagine the pain and fear of not having a safe place for your babies.”

In partnership with nonprofit Baby2Baby and Sean Penn’s Community Organized Relief Effort, the fund is also providing short-term housing and hotel stays for families with young children, delivering essentials to evacuation centers, and supporting local animal shelters.

Hilton concluded her statement by calling for community unity and pledging to volunteer her time over the weekend. She emphasized that “Every dollar makes a difference, and we’ll make sure the support reaches those who need it most.”

Sharon Stone and Halle Berry’s Clothing Donations

Sharon Stone, in the meantime, called for donations for +COOP, a home goods boutique located on Beverly Boulevard that has transformed into a distribution center. The Basic Instinct star encouraged donations of gently used clothing, gift cards, and new hangers, assuring that those in need could come for blankets, shoes, and clothes.

Halle Berry followed suit, reposting Stone’s video and announcing that she was “packing up my entire closet and heading over to the COOP!” She urged Southern California residents to do the same, emphasizing the immediate need to support displaced families. Berry thanked Stone for her leadership in these efforts.

Since then, Uber has collaborated with the boutique to deliver items across Los Angeles. In the comments section, Michelle Pfeiffer also inquired about donations, hinting that she would be contributing to the center.

Comedian Bill Hader’s Unique Offer

In an unexpected twist, actor/writer/comedian Bill Hader offered to help journalists cover the wildfires. In an incident shared by ABC7 reporter Josh Haskell, Hader approached a news van at a roadblock for the Palisades Fire, offering to help cover the fire’s aftermath. When he pulled down his mask, revealing his identity, those present were pleasantly surprised.

Other Celebrity Contributions

In addition to these acts of kindness, Jennifer Lopez reportedly cancelled her scheduled appearances on The View and other television programs to support wildfire relief efforts. Jamie Lee Curtis announced a generous contribution of $1 million from her family to aid in the crisis.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were among those aiding evacuees of the Eaton Fire raging in Altadena and Pasadena. The royal couple met with Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, distributed food, and expressed gratitude to first responders.

Latest Updates on the Fires

The latest updates on the wildfires reveal that approximately 180,000 Angelenos remain displaced as the Eaton and Palisades fires have destroyed over 9,000 structures, claimed at least 10 lives and caused estimated damages between $52-57 billion. These harrowing statistics have resulted from Southern California’s extremely dry weather conditions and the powerful Santa Ana winds, making these fires some of the most destructive in the state’s history.

As of writing, the two most significant fires have burned a combined total of roughly 35,000 acres, with containment for the Palisades fire at 8% and the Eaton Fire at 3%.

How to Help and Donate

For further information on how to contribute or donate, a list of Hollywood and affiliated organizations collecting funds can be accessed through this link.

FAQs

Q: Who are some of the celebrities contributing to the fire relief efforts?
A: Celebrities like Beyoncé, Jennifer Garner, Paris Hilton, Sharon Stone, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, and Jamie Lee Curtis have made significant contributions to the fire relief efforts.

Q: What is the status of the fires?
A: The Eaton and Palisades fires have displaced approximately 180,000 Angelenos and destroyed over 9,000 structures. As of writing, the Palisades fire is 8% contained, and the Eaton Fire is 3% contained.

Q: How can I help or donate?
A: You can help by donating to various funds and organizations, including those set up by celebrities. A list


Credit: deadline.com