2025 Wildfire Disaster Relief

Donate to Wildfire Disaster Relief

The Rotary District 5280 Charitable Foundation is accepting donations to assist those affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.

Your donation is tax deductible and will directly impact those most devastated by this disaster. The tax ID of the Charitable Foundation is 95-4597691.

  • Donate by credit card:
    • Please click HERE to make your donation via credit card.
  • Donate by check: 
    • Please make your check payable to "Rotary District 5280 Charitable Foundation"
    • Mail the check to Rotary District 5280 Office at: 8055 W. Manchester Ave, Suite 460, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
    • Please put "Wildfire Disaster Relief" in the memo
Disaster Relief Directory

Rotary District 5280 has created a Disaster Relief directory for Rotarians to personally list any resources they can provide to those displaced by the fires

This centralized resource directory will list Rotarians who can provide lodging, meals, transportation, or other forms of assistance. We will ask members to upload their offerings along with contact information so those impacted can easily access available resources. We have already had numerous Rotarians offer services such as transportation, lodging and supplies. This "one stop shop" of resources will be powerful. 
 
Can you provide any resources? Please fill out the Disaster Relief Directory form HERE.
 
Are you in need of any resources? Click HERE. Check back regularly as the Disaster Relief Directory form continues to update in real time with 
Message From District Governor Albert Hernandez

Updated January 17th, 2025

Wildfire Update for Our Region

Rotarians~

Our region has been severely impacted by wildfires over the past week, but we are beginning to see some positive progress thanks to the heroic efforts of our first responders.

  • Palisades Fire: Over 23,000 acres burned, with 22% containment.
  • Eaton Fire (Altadena/Pasadena, District 5300): Over 14,000 acres burned, now 55% contained.
  • Hirst Fire (Sylmar): Burned 800 acres and is now fully contained (100%).

In addition to these major incidents, we witnessed several fires spring up across our District, from Hollywood to the Valley and into Calabasas. It’s been a challenging time, but the winds have finally died down, and our brave first responders are gaining control over the situation.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the clubs in our District and beyond who have stepped up in extraordinary ways during this crisis. Thank you to those who have hosted collection drives, distributed essential items, and sent funds to support the ongoing humanitarian efforts. Your commitment to serving our communities during this critical time is truly inspiring.

Housing Challenges:
The wildfires have exacerbated the housing crisis, with apartment applications soaring. For instance, a unit that might have had two applicants now sees about 15. Housing support is becoming critical for those displaced.

District Support and Relief Efforts:
As we enter week two, the District has begun deploying funding raised for immediate needs. I urge clubs to apply for the Disaster Grants to bring additional resources to our region.

  • A fantastic project shared by District Governor Nominee Brady Connell involves acquiring and installing saunas for local fire stations. These saunas help firefighters rinse off hazardous materials after battling fires, providing critical health benefits.
  • At a recent visit to the Santa Clarita Valley Rotary Club, an idea was proposed to create an online spreadsheet where clubs can share their Disaster Relief Grant projects. This will allow clubs to collaborate and inspire one another with impactful ideas. Click here to share your Wildfire Response project or to see what others are doing.

I ask that you keep our fellow Rotarians impacted by the wildfires in your thoughts and prayers. As time has progressed, I am hearing reports of several Rotarians who have lost their homes, including many members of the Rotary Club of Palisades, as well as friends in the Santa Monica and Burbank Rotary Clubs. To those affected, we are here for you. Please consider utilizing the Rotarian Relief Fund for support during this time. Email markbenthien@me.com for details on this fund. 

Let us continue to work together to support our communities and each other as we rebuild and recover. Together, we can overcome this challenging time with resilience and hope.

Albert Hernandez
District Governor, 2024-2025
AlbertRotary5280@gmail.com

Here is our current plan of action:

  1. Disaster Relief Fund:
    District 5280 has created a Disaster Relief Fund to collect funds that will be utilized to bring hope and real solutions to our community. 

    a) Organizations on the Frontlines - Supporting agencies that are serving on the frontlines, i.e. Red Cross, LA Regional Food Bank, etc,


    b) Rotarian Relief Fund - If you are a Rotarian in our District and in need of financial assistance email Disaster Relief Chair Mark Benthien at markbenthien@me.com Disaster
    Mark will review with you what our Rotary District 5280 is providing in the form of financial assistance. 



    c) District 5280 Wildfire Relief Grants - Rotary and Rotaract Clubs that would like to conduct a service project for the victims of first responders from the LA Wildfires download the application and email the completed document to office@rotary5280.org *Please n read the application and complete each section. Applications will be reviewed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If application is approved, it will take the committee 3 - 5 business days to get you your funding. 

    Click here to make a donation to our District Wildfire Disaster Fund

  2. Resource Directory:
    We’ve created a Wildfire Resource Directory to coordinate offers of support from Rotarians. In the past few hours, we’ve received an outpouring of generous offers, including:
    Hosting displaced Rotarians in unaffected areas.
    Providing transportation to move personal belongings to safety.
    Offering warm meals and companionship to those affected.

    If you are able to provide support, click here and enter the support, you may offer.
    If you are in need of support, click here to access the Wildfires Resource Directory.

    The directory allows Rotarians to post services they are willing to provide and for those in need to access available resources. To maintain privacy, access to the directory is restricted to those logged into their ClubRunner accounts.

  3. Volunteer Opportunities:
    We’ve compiled a list of evacuation centers and shelters in the affected areas (see below) and encourage your club to coordinate their donations and support efforts. To ensure efficiency and maximize impact, we’ve created a donation spreadsheet for clubs to document the items they plan to donate, the location, and the date of delivery.

    Suggested contributions include blankets, bottled water, face masks, warm meals, snacks, or items for animals at the dedicated Animal Shelters.

    For those planning to support the evacuation centers we strongly urge you to contact them in advance and ask for their needs and best time to drop off. While these events just happened, we have realized many of the evacuation centers are at maximum capacity. This may not be the case in w or 3 weeks. Be patient and communicate.

  4. Evacuation Centers/Shelters:
    Palisades Fire: Westwood Community Center, 1350 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
    Hurst Fire: Ritchie Valens Community Center, 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331
    Eaton Fire: Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA

    Animal Shelters:
    Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA
    Pierce College Equestrian Center, 7100 El Rancho Dr, Woodland Hills, CA
    Rose Bowl (for larger animals), 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA
    Click here to sign your club up for a in-kind donation 

    We know things are changing constantly. We will try to communicate as much as possible to give everyone updated on what the Rotarians in our District are reporting back.