2025 Wildfire Disaster Relief

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. 

 

 

 

Updated January 10th, 2025

As you’re likely aware, our region is currently facing devastating wildfires and severe winds. The Pacific Palisades community has been especially hard-hit, with reports of over 10,000 homes, businesses, and more lost. The fires continue to advance toward the borders of Malibu and Santa Monica with no signs of abating.

To the northeast, the Eaton Canyon Fire that began in Altadena is spreading east toward Monrovia and west toward Glendale. Meanwhile, the northwest side of our District is battling the Hurst Fire in Sylmar.

These events have already brought immense loss, and as District Leaders, we must act swiftly and decisively. I’ve received outreach from my governor classmates around the world offering assistance, and you may also have fielded similar inquiries or be wondering how we can respond effectively.

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. We have decided to support:
   a) local organizations who are on the frontlines providing support to those in need (immediate needs),
   b) create a Rotarian Relief Fund for any Rotarians negatively impacted by the wildfires (immediate needs),
   c) to provide pass through funding to our Clubs who want to develop a service project that will benefit those impacted and our first responders (short and medium term),
   4) to provide funds that will focus on long term support (long term needs). 
   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.
   
   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. 

Albert Hernandez,
District Governor, Rotary District 5280