After wildfires devastated Los Angeles last week a number of celebrities and businesses many with strong connections to the community have stepped up to help the survivors so far.
Los Angeles sport teams
Twelve professional sports organizations based in Los Angeles — including the Lakers, Dodgers, Chargers, Clippers, Rams and Angel City FC — have banded together to pledge a combined donation of more than $8 million to support the people forced to evacuate and firefighters working in the region.
On top of their monetary donation, the sports organizations partnered with Fanatics, a platform that sells licensed team merchandise, and its foundation, to distribute $3 million worth of merch to evacuees, a press release announcing the donation said.
The teams are also contributing items like school supplies, shoes and personal hygiene kits that will be distributed by their community partners on Friday at the Dodger, SoFi and BMO stadiums.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s foundation, BeyGOOD announced the creation of its LA Fire Relief Fund and subsequent $2.5 million donation to support families in the Altadena and Pasadena areas.
Eva Longoria
In a video shared on Instagram, actress Eva Longoria described evacuating her home with friends who had already been forced to evacuate their own, and deciding to gather clothes and empty her pantry so she could donate to community members in need.
She also shared her decision to make a $50,000 donation to This is About Humanity to go toward supporting essential migrant workers impacted by the fires, and encouraged her followers to help however they can.
Airbnb
Through its non-profit organization, Airbnb.org, Airbnb has partnered with 211 LA to provide temporary, free housing for 6,500 people displaced by the wildfires, and as of Jan. 10, has committed to do the same for another 25,000 people.
Snoop Dogg
The west coast rap icon established his Inglewood clothing store, Snoop Dogg’s, as a temporary donation centre accepting a wide variety of items including sleeping bags and pillows, new clothing and undergarments and personal hygiene products.
Skechers
L.A. based shoe brand, Skechers, has posted on Instagram saying it’s committed to doing what it can to help, including making a pledge of over $1 million, comprised of both monetary donations and goods.
Skechers is introducing a national register roundup at its stores so its customers can also help those impacted by the fires if they choose. And to ease the impact the fires have had on local animal shelters, Skechers is supporting the Agoura Animal Care Centre by paying for all dog and cat adoptions until Sunday.
Amazon
On Monday Amazon announced its $10 million contribution from its entertainment division (which includes Prime Video, Amazon Music and Amazon MGM Studios), Ring and Whole Foods Market, toward relief efforts.
The donation will go to organizations like the American Red Cross of Southern California, World Central Kitchen, Habitat for Los Angeles Wildlife Fund, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and more.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry posted on Instagram last week about packing up her closet and bringing everything down to an L.A. clothing store, Coop, that was accepting donations and allowing people who have been displaced to take what they need, thanking fellow actress Sharon Stone for sharing the initiative.
Coop later shared a post thanking Berry and Stone, and brands like Uber, Lululemon and Golf Wang, for making donations.
Jamie Lee Curtis
The actress has been actively sharing photos of fire devastation, including in her own neighbourhood, on social media, thanking first responders and organizations collecting donations.
Last week, Curtis announced that she and her family were donating $1 million from their foundation toward relief efforts.
Verizon
Verizon, a U.S. based telecommunications company has pledged to waive call, text and data fees between Jan. 9 and 18 for customers in the counties hardest hit by the wildfires.
Some of its stores are open to the public and are equipped with charging stations and free Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi and charging stations have also been deployed for public use at a number of American Red Cross Shelters in the community.
Walmart
Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation have pledged to donate a combined $2.5 million toward relief efforts, including donations of food, water, other essential products and grants.
Walmart is also working with non-profit organizations and suppliers to provide free hot meals through its mobile relief kitchen.
Disney
Recognizing the significance of the L.A. region to its history, the Walt Disney Company has committed to donating $15 million toward initial response and rebuilding efforts. The company said it also intends to provide more resources to its employee relief fund.
Paris Hilton
In a post on X, Paris Hilton shared about losing her Malibu home to the fires, and starting an emergency fund to support displaced families with young children through her non-profit organization, 11:11 Media Impact. Hilton kicked off the fund with a $100,000 contribution of her own, and said she would match other donations up to another $100,000.
On Tuesday, she posted about the importance of cash donations and said she contributed $150,000 from the emergency fund to GoFundMe to provide direct assistance to 150 families.
Metallica
Through its All Within My Hands Foundation, Metallica has pledged to donate $500,000 to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund and the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund.
With files from the Associated Press
