2025 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
- Questions or technical issues with your donation? Please contact the Rotary District 5280 office at 310-670-9792 or office@rotary5280.org
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
Updated February 5th, 2025
Dear Rotary world,
I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. You are receiving this message because YOU, YOUR CLUB, YOUR FOUNDATION, or YOUR AGENCY have made a generous monetary contribution to the Rotary District 5280 Los Angeles Wildfire Relief Fund.
Nearly a month has passed since the devastating wildfires broke out across Los Angeles. As we continue to adapt and respond to the aftermath, I’ve heard deeply moving stories from fellow Rotarians who, despite losing their homes, have found strength and hope through the outpouring of support from Rotarians worldwide. It's not just the financial assistance that has made an impact but the emotional support—your calls, texts, emails, and social media messages have provided a beacon of hope during these challenging times.
Thanks to your generosity, the funds we’ve received are already making a tangible difference. We have:
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Supported local organizations on the frontlines, providing shelter for displaced families.
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Distributed grocery store gift cards to families in urgent need.
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Funded community distribution events to deliver essential supplies.
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Provided gift cards to our courageous firefighters, many of whom slept in their cars for days to continue battling the blazes without pause.
While the fires have been contained, the path to recovery is long. We are approaching this journey in three phases:
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Immediate Needs: Addressing urgent necessities such as shelter, food, and basic supplies.
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Intermediate Needs: Supporting community recovery efforts and stabilizing affected families.
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Long-Term Needs: Assisting with the rebuilding of infrastructure and restoring communities.
Our recent humanitarian mission to Maui taught us that physical rebuilding can take months, even years. However, the emotional support and human connection we provide can have an immediate, lasting impact.
We are profoundly thankful for your support. As we continue this journey, I am committed to keeping you informed about our progress. Your investment in our recovery is invaluable, and as District Governor, it is my honor and responsibility to ensure you feel connected to the difference you are making.
Together, we are walking side by side on this path of recovery and hope. Thank you for being part of our Rotary family.
Yours in Service,
Albert Hernandez
District Governor
AlbertRotary5280@gmail.com
Here are some fundraising and support initiatives we have implemented:
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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.
Click here to make a donation to our District Wildfire Disaster Fund
a) Organizations on the Frontlines - Supporting agencies that are serving on the frontlines. Organizations who have received funding include American Red Cross, LA Regional Food Bank, California Fire Foundation, and the Upper Ojai Relief.
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
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 read the application and complete each section. Applications will be reviewed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each Club may qualify for up to $3,500 and may apply for only three Wildfire Relief Grants per Rotary year. If application is approved, it will take the committee 3 - 5 business days to get you your funding.
d) Fire Victim Relief Grants - The District is making funds available to households who have been impacted by the wildfires. Applications must be completed by the Rotary Club in support of a household in need. Each club may apply for up to 3 grants per Rotary year. The maximum amount a household may qualify for is $2,000. The application can be downloaded here and must be emailed to office@Rotary5280.org If application is approved, it will take the committee 3 to 5 business days to receive your funding.
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Rotarians Housing Support
If you have an available home that Rotarians can connect with you on renting, leasing or purchasing please click the link below to provide those details.
Click here to connect with Rotarians who have listings of available housing for those who lost their homes in the fires -
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.