FRIDAY FIVE
Thanksgiving week is a good time to take a moment and pause for gratitude. And in the Bay Area this year, it’s hard to do that and not think about fellow Californians who are 170 miles up north in Paradise, California, many of whom have lost everything in the devastating Camp Fire. As of Wednesday afternoon, 81 bodies had been found, and 870 people were still missing.
In the wake of a crisis, a helping hand can go a long way. Research shows helping others can help those who aren’t directly impacted by the disaster but who still feel a sense of loss and destruction from it. In other words, giving to those in Butte County will help them rebuild their lives, and it will also help lift your spirits too.
Here are a few ways to help survivors of the Camp Fire. If you have other suggestions, leave them in the comments.
Donate to the American Red Cross
For the next several weeks, American Red Cross volunteers will be helping survivors of the fire rebuild their lives and figure out what’s next. The Red Cross also works with the state and local government and partners such as the Salvation Army and World Central Kitchen to implement relief efforts. You can give a monetary donation by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or texting the word “CAWILDFIRES” to 90999.
Help Firefighters with the Basics
Simply the Basics is a nonprofit that focuses on providing those in need with the essentials, such as hygiene products, so they can focus on bigger goals. The nonprofit was founded by Meghan Freebeck, who first kicked off the idea by hosting a donation drive for menstrual hygiene products to go toward homeless women in San Francisco. In an effort to help firefighters, the organization is now putting together basic-needs kits that include eye drops, protein bars and face wipes, among other things. Monetary donations are being accepted to put together the kits.
Donate to the Village in Oakland #FeedthePeople
Over a week of unhealthy air quality took its toll on the most vulnerable communities in Oakland. In response, Mask Oakland gave out free masks to people who didn’t have the option to “stay inside,” as experts warned us all to do. Now that the air has cleared up, the organization hopes interest will stay high in helping homeless populations. Mask Oakland is asking for people to consider donating supplies or money to the Village in Oakland #feedthepeople project, explaining, “The rains have begun, and far too many fellow humans face cold, damp nights in the streets. The Village is urgently in need of the following to winterize residents’ homes and shared resources.” Specifically, they’re in need of wooden pallets to raise structures, carports (min. 10' x 20'), heavy-duty tarps and insulation materials.
Donate or Volunteer with Caring Choices
Based in Chico, California, Caring Choices is a great way to support local families who have been impacted by the fire. The nonprofit, created in 1993, works in various ways to improve the health and welfare of residents in Northern California throughout the year. Currently, they are specifically asking for monetary donations to help fire survivors—volunteer applications have been suspended at this time due to the outpouring of support. That will likely change, though, so keep an eye out. As the group writes on its website, “We will need more volunteers in the coming weeks and months as we continue through the disaster response, relief and recovery efforts.”
Donate to the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is on the scene providing “three meals a day, snacks, beverages, essential items and emotional and spiritual care” in various locations. According to its site, monetary donations are needed in addition to these specific items: underwear and socks, blankets and pillows, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, diapers and baby wipes, nonperishable foods, new toys for Christmas, monetary gifts, gas cards and local vendor gift cards. In-kind donations should be sent to the distribution center in Chico at 1100 Marauder Street.
Hey! The Bold Italic recently launched a podcast, This Is Your Life in Silicon Valley. Check out the full season or listen to the episode below featuring Hunter Walk, investor and former head of product at YouTube. More coming soon, so stay tuned!
