Tri-county organizations offer support to L.A. wildfire victims
Central Coast nonprofits and companies are stepping up to support those impacted by the devastating Los Angeles County wildfires.
Thousand Oaks-based biotech giant Amgen announced Jan. 14 that it and the Amgen Foundation have committed $10 million in disaster relief.
“Southern California has been Amgen’s home for more than four decades and we are standing tall to support our community through this difficult time,” Robert Bradway, the company’s chair and CEO said in a press release.
The funds will support affected communities through the California Community Foundation, Direct Relief, and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles.
The Amgen Foundation is also matching employee donations toward disaster relief.
The Ventura County Community Foundation, meanwhile, has received several direct contributions to support affected families in Los Angeles.
The group will be sending 100% of the contributions to its sister nonprofits, the California Community Foundation and the Pasadena Community Foundation.
Those who live in Ventura County and are impacted by the fires are urged to contact VCCF if they need support.
“A team of local nonprofits is working collaboratively together and are standing by to help,” the foundation says.
Victims of the recent Mountain Fire in and near Camarillo are also urged to contact VCCF if they need support.
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara on Jan. 9 sent a shipment of 10 pallets of water to the Los Angeles area to assist with disaster relief.
An additional 10 pallets of water, provided through a partnership with Food Share of Ventura County, were added in a collaborative effort to help the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank respond to the impact of the fires.
Visit Santa Barbara has compiled a list of hotels and vacation rental properties in the Santa Barbara South Coast region that are offering discounted rates to Los Angeles County fire evacuees.
They include Best Western Plus Santa Barbara, Blue Sands Inn, Casa Valero, Harbor View Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Motel 6 Santa Barbara Beach, and Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara.
Some of the hotels and vacation rental properties are pet-friendly.
Various Santa Maria Valley hotels and motels are also offering special lodging rates to all Los Angeles-area residents and first responders.
They too include pet-friendly options.
The hotels and motels include Days Inn Santa Maria, Hampton Inn Santa Maria, Best Western Big America Santa Maria, Historic Santa Maria Inn, Hotel Avanti, Villa Motel, and Colonial Motel.
Guests should contact the hotels and motels directly for rates.
“The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles are a tragedy, and we stand with everyone impacted during this difficult time,” Jennifer Harrison, director of marketing and communications at the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce, said.
“Our thoughts are also with the brave first responders protecting lives and communities,” she said.
C.A.R.E4Paws is partnering with Cold Noses Warm Hearts, Meade Canine Rescue, ASAP Cats, and Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society to urgently assist in animal rescue efforts during the Los Angeles County fires.
The organizations are working to transfer cats and dogs from three Los Angeles shelters, with the potential to expand their efforts.
Pets will be transported using C.A.R.E4Paws’ mobile vet clinics, the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society’s van, and Diaz Paws Transportation.
The rescued animals will be adopted out through the collaborating organizations, ensuring they find loving homes.
Meanwhile, several large companies headquartered outside the tri-county region are also helping.
Anthem Blue Cross and the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Elevance Health Foundation, announced Jan. 10 an initial $10 million in new grants to aid community resiliency and disaster response efforts in Southern California.
Walmart, Sam’s Club, and the Walmart Foundation announced Jan. 12 a $2.5 million commitment to support relief efforts, including donations of food, water, essential products, and grants.
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