Many of us know someone who has been deeply affected by the devastating fires in LA. Even if you don’t personally know someone, you may be moved to want to offer your support.
Here are 6 meaningful ways you can offer assistance to loved ones, friends, and colleagues:
1. 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙙. Create a @gofundme campaign, organize receipts, keep track of deadlines, and track down necessary information. You can help them organize a daily to-do list, such as calling their mortgage company, requesting vital records, etc. 📂
2. 𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨. Help your loved one identify what they need specifically and then help them find a specific resource to support that. ✍️
3. 𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨. Make an Amazon, Walmart, and Target wishlist for items that need to be replaced. Share the links with friends and family who want to help. 📝
4. 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙖 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙡/𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣. Encourage supporters to send meals/gift cards from local restaurants (even better if you choose independent businesses as it supports them as well.) 🌮
You might also consider sending funds for a week’s worth of groceries. Gift cards can easily be purchased for @instacart and be used as the person sees fit. 🥗
5. 𝙂𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙨.. Contact friends and family to collect physical and digital photos, and create a shared album. Have reprints or photo books created to help restore some memories. @shutterfly is offering these services for free. 📸
Bonus: 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠. The person you are helping has been through a traumatic experience. They need space to process their emotions and to be heard. LISTEN to understand, instead of listening to solve or respond. 👂
We can help with shipping donations, setting up digital mail accounts, mail/postal services and replacing passports. Feel free to reach out if you need assistance. 📞
Share this post on your profile and feel free to comment if you have additional tips to add. We wish you and your loved ones much success as you navigate this difficult time. 🫂
