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How to help wildfire victims Southern California is on fire. Sadly, there's very little exaggeration in that statement. Fire crews from across the southwestern United States have joined forces this week to battle nearly a dozen blazes burning between Ventura and San Diego counties. Smoky, ash-filled air still blankets the coastline, covering Camarillo and Ventura County in a hard-to-breathe yellowish haze made worse by bone-dry Santa Ana winds, but we are fortunate- our readers aren't among those forced to sleep in shelters tonight. The truth is, many of us recognize that it could just as easily be one of us making our home on a cot in a high school gym or stadium field, and that thought prompts the question: What can we do to help? The Ventura County offices of the Red Cross and United Way are inviting residents to make monetary donations to be used for those affected by the fires. Jeff Landis, a Red Cross spokesperson, said donations of food and clothes should be made to the local Salvation Army or Goodwill stores. He said the Red Cross does not have the resources to collect and distribute food and clothing but has already begun to establish funds for wildfire victims. To make a donation to the Red Cross, make checks payable to the American Red Cross. Donators may note in the memo section of their check where their contribution should go: Ventura County, Southern California Wildfires or San Diego Fire.
Checks may be mailed or delivered to the area Red Cross offices: United Way spokesperson Letitia Austin said her agency has set up a Southern California Wildfires Recovery Fund to provide long-term assistance for those who lost homes in the fires. To make a donation to the United Way, make checks payable to the United Way of Ventura County.
Checks may be mailed or dropped off at the county United Way headquarters: |
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