It’s hard to truly gather the words to describe what has transpired the last few days in LA. I lived in California from 2009 - 2018 in various parts of town including Glendale, Sherman Oaks, Los Feliz, Malibu, Calabasas + Thousand Oaks. I know all these areas extremely well.
I heard back from most of my friends + my Uncle John who lives in California who are all physically okay. I worry for them + their children mentally as the days go on + their reality set in.
Since the fires, I've been in"I'm not there, but how can I help" mode on how I can personally help. I've put aside boxes to individuals of my own clothing that I'm removing off my Poshmark to match up with those in need. By Thursday there were Google Docs made by friends where anybody in need of clothing could submit their info for tops, pants, pjs, undies + bras for families + individuals. I've added all the reputable Google Docs I could find below which are a brilliant resource because they are constantly being updated in real time.
Donations help at anytime as the road to recovery + healing will take years, so if you can’t help right now, please save this post for when you are able to.
I’m still connecting with brands so we can all help to continue to deliver what’s been lost. HERE is the form you or anybody in need can fill out to have clothing delivered. If you don’t have an address right now then use any friend or family member where you can pick up from.
Taking action is vital to helping our fellow communities, so below is a compiled list of donation funds, shelters, volunteer opportunities + organizations working on the ground. If you’re looking for ways to help, please check out these resources + share this post far + wide.
Google Docs of BRAND DONATIONS
THE DONATION DIRECTORY - Google Doc of Fashion + Beauty Brands Supporting L.A. Fire Relief Efforts.
Click HERE for another Google Doc of BRANDS that are DONATING ITEMS to those in need.
WOMEN'S CLOTHING designer, Christy Lynn + stylist, Lindsay Weiss (Cocoincashmere on IG) have teamed up to create this sign up form HERE as Christy Lynn has up to 1,000 pieces she can donate from tops to pants + dresses.
MUTUAL AID LA NETWORK - another Google Doc from this incredible + reputable volunteer group. Click HERE to view ongoing updates.
If You Are A Family with YOUNG KIDS IN NEED
Please fill out THIS form (as detailed as possible) + set your Instagram (if you have one) to public so that people can direct message you!
Human SHELTERS
AirBnb: offering FREE emergency housing. Click HERE to learn more.
Arcadia Community Center – 375 Campus Drive
Arcadia Public Library
Black Lantern Books
Burbank Armenian Center
Cafe Tropical
El Camino Real Charter High School
Friends in Deed Bad Weather Shelter
Hollywood High School
IATSE Disaster Response Team
Junior High LA
LA Dream Center Emergency Shelter
Northridge Park
Pacific Community Center
Pan Pacific Rec Center
Pasadena Convention Center
Planet Fitness (all locations)
Re/Creation Cafe
Ritchie Valens Recreation Center
Sender One Westwood and LAX
Sepulveda Recreation Center
Studio DDLA
Tapestry Church
The Kinn
Westwood Recreation Center
YMCA of Metropolitan LA
Animal SHELTERS
Agoura Animal Care Center
Animal Wellness Foundation
Belles Boarding
Best Friends Animal Society
Chino Hills Animal Shelter
Feed Play Love
Grateful Dogs Clubhouse
Hatch Ranch
Industry Hills Expo Center Stables (Horses)
LA Animal Shelter
LA Equestrian Center (Large Animals)WILD
Marilynn Ebrecht
Milo's Sanctuary
Montebello Barnyard Zoo
My Pet Garden
Pasadena Humane
Pasture Space
Paso Robles Horse Park (Horses)
Paw Works
Pierce College Equestrian Center (Large Animals)
Pico Rivera Sports Arena
Rose Bowl Stadium (Large Animals)
South Bay Rodent Rescue
Western Veterinary Center
White Memorial Church
White Wolf Wellness
Whittier Dog Club
RESTAURANTS Offering FREE MEALS
The list below is ever changing, so always call ahead to find out their status.
Bar Etoile (East Hollywood)
Bé Ù (Silver Lake)
Danny Boys (Downtown and Westwood)
Dtown Pizzeria (West Hollywood)
Dudley Market Venice (Venice)
Fiorelli Pizza (Venice)
Foundation Grains + Greens (East Hollywood)
LaSorted’s (Silver Lake)
Oy Bar Studio City (Studio City)
Sonoritas Prime Tacos (Sawtelle)
Sora Craft Kitchen (Downtown LA)
Sunday Gravy Inglewood (Inglewood)
Yeastie Boys (Multiple Locations)
Wabi on Rose (Venice) - my incredible family + friend, Tricia Small's restaurant.
HOMEOWNER + RENTER Resources
FEMA - FEMA will have a Palisades Wildfire Disaster Recovery Assistance Center at the UCLA Research Park at 10850 Pico Blvd. L.A., CA 90064. Every Monday - Sunday from 9:00am - 8:00pm. Support services include: accounting for lost vital records, disaster relief, mental health services + more. Traci Park, L.A. District 11 Councilwoman will be onsite to answer questions.
DONATION Resources
Please continue to check back in on THIS spreadsheet + monitor whether there are families in need of supplies you have available to give. If so, please DM the person + confirm that they are in need and where the best place is for you to ship them to.
BABY2BABY - Helping get essentials to children in need.
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN - Providing meals to those impacted by the fires.
HELP CLEAN THE PALISADES - A GoFundMe directly helping to clean up the affected areas of the Palisades. Funds will be used for supplies + a portion will also go towards the LAFD.
SHOP PICKLE - Is coordinating LA clothing donations. You can donate or sign up to receive support through them.
Urgent Care Needed for Fire-Affected Horses - A GoFundMe organized by Philipa + Natasha Price.
Anderson Munger Family YMCA - Donate for food + supplies.
Calico Fish House - Donate for food + supplies.
Celebration Nation - Donate for emergency drive w/ water, face masks, blankets, baby food, pet supplies, toiletries + more.
Disconnect Foundation - Donate for food, prepared foods, bottled water, hygiene supplies + blankets.
Dream Center - Donate for emergency shelter for victims of the fires.
Food Not Bombs LA - Donate for free meals to those displaced.
Hollywood Food Co - Donate for meal distribution.
Koreatown YMCA - Donate for food + supplies.
Mutual Aid LA - Donate for food, supplies, mutual aid efforts. Includes an ongoing list of resources + aid orgs.
The Sidewalk Project LA - Donate for supplies such as tents, sandbags, tarps + shelter supplies.
Mutual Aid Directory - Google Doc of GoFundMe Campaigns for Displaced Black Families in Altadena + Pasadena
Act Blue - Support Immigrant Workers impacted by the L.A. Fires.
Donate To Latino Families Who Have Lost Everything - Google Doc with real time updates. You can email: latinefamileslawildfires@gmail to add your GoFundMe to the Google Doc.
VOLUNTEER Opportunities
7th Street Collective - Emergency Response kit making, collecting resources.
Alma’s Cider - Drop off essential items like clothes + general supplies
Anderson Munger Family YMCA - Volunteers to drive supplies to sunset fire evac centers.
Best Friends Animal Society - Help board animals.
Disconnect Foundation - Local individuals can volunteer to cook + distribute meals.
Halfsies + Dog Haus Running Club - Help needed.
Halfsies Snack Shack - Help needed to prep meals + distribute.
It's Bigger Than Us - Distribute donated items.
Koreatown YMCA - Volunteers to drive supplies to sunset fire evac centers.
South LA Cafe - Prep groceries for distribution.
Pair + Care - NOVA is pairing up volunteers in the LA area directly w/ families + individuals impacted by the wildfires. NOVA seeking people who are available to pick up, sort + deliver donations (clothing, food, etc.) catered individually to those in need.
FIRST RESPONDER Resources
CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION - Provides critical support to surviving families of fallen firefighters, firefighters + the communities they serve.
LE GREAT OUTDOOR - You can send a meal to firefighter or first responder - they are sending meals 2x daily.
LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUNDATION - Donation to first responders. Equipping firefighters with tools + supplies to contain the infernos.
More RESOURCES
Let me start by saying that I am NOT trying to profit off of tragedy. I'm just brainstorming right now what would be helpful + providing resources + discounts where I can. Besides this post, you can find more resources on my Facebook page HERE.
SMOKE + FIRE SUPPORT
Practical Tips for Detox Support + Resilience
The air + water in the affected areas is quite toxic at this point as many of the homes + properties that burned are older + full of asbestos, lead + more. Having a GOOD air filter + water filter (at least for drinking water) is PARAMOUNT.
These air purifiers are portable + can work in an most temporary living spaces like an AirBnB, RV, hotel etc.
Click HERE to shop the above Air Purifiers + more clean air products.
My favorite air purifier brand is AIR DOCTOR.
Per Dr. Tyna, the good people at Jaspr have increased the discount on their air filters by $200 OFF.
If you don’t have access to a high-quality air purifier, you can make a simple DIY air cleaner using a box fan + a high-efficiency furnace filter (rated MERV 13 or higher). Attach the filter securely to the back of the fan, with the airflow direction arrows pointing toward the fan. This setup can help reduce particulate matter in your indoor air for a low cost.
These water filters are portable + can work in an most temporary living spaces like an AirBnB, RV, hotel etc.
Click HERE to shop the above Water Filtration Systems +
SUPPLEMENTS + Ways To Support Your Body
MAGNESIUM - Most people in the US are magnesium deficient + stress + toxins chew up your magnesium reserves. Magnesium is critical for keeping your nervous system regulated as well as for keeping smooth muscle (like that which lines your vessels) relaxed. Now would be a good time to consider supplementation. You really can't overdo it with magnesium, if you take too much you will get loose stools. Magnesium malate is a great form in this situation.
MANAGE YOUR CORTISOL - When your body is not processing oxygen well, especially if there's toxins in the air, you may very well feel like freaking out. It's how your system reacts to oxygen deprivation. If your anxiety is up, it's not just because this is a devastating situation, it's also because you are under oxygenated. Ever freak out as you ascend a mountain or the plane is taking off? That's oxygen deprivation in the brain hitting the panic button. I say this only so you know what is going on, which may help you calm yourself more readily.
SUPPORT YOUR ADRENALS - When stress hits, always support your adrenals.
SALT - Salt for hydration. Salt for adrenal support. Salt is so incredibly helpful in so many ways. Electrolytes if you have them, sea salt with a sprinkle of sugar if you don't (a bit of sugar helps the salt absorb).
NASAL RINSE - Using a saline nasal rinse is an excellent way to flush out fine particles + toxins that may accumulate in your nasal passages from wildfire smoke. A saline spray or rinse helps clear mucus, reduce irritation + keep your airways hydrated. You can use a pre-made saline spray or prepare your own saline solution at home. To make your own rinse: dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized salt + a pinch of baking soda in 8 ounces of warm distilled or boiled water (cooled to a safe temperature). Use a nasal spray bottle, neti pot, or bulb syringe to gently rinse your nasal passages. Regular rinsing, especially after being outdoors, can help reduce respiratory irritation + improve comfort.
WASH YOUR SHEETS REGULARLY - Smoke particles can cling to your hair, skin, + clothes, as well as settle on bedding + furniture. Changing your pillowcases + sheets regularly can help reduce your exposure to these particles, especially if you’ve been outdoors. For best results, use warm or hot water for laundering + consider a shower before bed to avoid transferring smoke residue to your bedding. This simple step can help you sleep better + breathe easier.
Click HERE for a shoppable list of emergency / disaster relief items. Note: I did not post non-perishable food + water, but make sure you have a 3 day supply of food per person + a 1 gallon of water per day per person.
Also, pack some cash (make sure to have small denominations as well) + copies of your passport. I put the copies on the clipboard in a ziplock bag.
If you wear glasses, an extra pair would be good to have.
Also, don't forget covered tennis shoes.
MY Affiliate Partners
ACTIVE SKIN REPAIR - Join Logan Barris, Active Skin Repair + I in Supporting Los Angeles Fire Relief Efforts - If you know any first responders or individuals affected by the fires who could benefit from Active Skin Repair, please let me know. They would be honored to send FREE complimentary products to support their recovery + care. Please help me drive awareness + support for this critical cause.
LUV AJ - BOGO Sale for Palisades Fire Essential Aid - Amanda, owner of jewelry brand, LUV AJ lost her home in the fires. In order to start aiding some relief for our community, Amanda is launching a BOGO Sale where you can BUY 1, GET 1 item FREE (equal or lesser value) + will be donating the proceeds to the Essential Aid Go Fund Me which was started by Amanda's dear friend Birdie who she grew up with in the Palisades. Birdie is working direct with victims of the fire + getting people the help that they need. You can shop the sale HERE + use the code BOGO2025
Additionally, if you were directly affected by the fires, please email orders@luvaj.com with one of your old LUV AJ order numbers + the LUV AJ team would be happy to send you a gift card to start rebuilding your jewelry collection.
ARTICLES
Los Angeles Fires: What We Know So Far by Jessica Reed Kraus
Note: Please help one another where you can. I realize there is tragedy still ongoing from Lahaina + North Carolina right now. In fact, FEMA just kicked the folks in North Carolina out of their temporary housing + out into a snow storm. I have no words. Let's just all help where we can.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only + is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I am not the reader’s personal doctor. Individuals should always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about treatments, supplements, sauna use, or significant changes to their exercise routine. The benefits of strength training + other exercise interventions can vary among individuals, so personalized advice is essential to avoid potential injury. Professional medical advice should not be disregarded or delayed because of something read or heard in this content.
This blog may contain affiliate links, meaning Nicole DeRosa may earn a small commission if purchases are made through these links, at no additional cost to the consumer. Links to items + supplements are provided for informational purposes only + are not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Statements about supplements + products have not been evaluated by the FDA + are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Individual results may vary.
Readers are advised to consult a licensed healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance.
Comments