Not long after the Los Angeles firestorms blew across the county, leaving behind smoking ruins, California Chamber of Commerce member companies were among the many entities that stepped forward to offer assistance to the wildfire victims.
Following is a sampling of how CalChamber members are helping.
- Airbnb is providing free, temporary housing for people who have been displaced by the Los Angeles wildfires, in partnership with @211LACounty. It also is supporting hosts to offer free stays to people in times of crisis.
- East West Bank Foundation granted $250,000 to the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Fire Relief and Recovery Fund, dedicated to helping Pasadena area community members most affected by the Eaton Fire and supporting nonprofits providing critical disaster-related services.
- The Home Depot Foundation committed $1 million to support wildfire relief in Southern California, to include both immediate humanitarian and disaster relief efforts and long-term recovery and future mitigation.
- In-N-Out Burger offers complimentary meals at some locations to firefighters in uniform in appreciation for their service.
- DoorDash waived its fees on orders placed in Los Angeles County and is donating $1 for every order placed in the area to World Central Kitchen, up to $1 million.
- Lyft activated its Lyft Up Disaster Response program to provide access to free and discounted rides to help those in the affected areas.
- Uber offered free rides up to $40 for evacuees needing transportation to get to temporary shelters.
- Google teamed up with the Hotel Association of Los Angeles to provide real-time updates on hotel availability and accommodations at all levels to evacuees and others in need of assistance. YouTube and Google, together with Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, are contributing $15 million to organizations that are providing immediate relief in Los Angeles.
- The Walt Disney Company has committed $15 million to Los Angeles area fire relief and rebuilding efforts, supporting organizations providing essential services on the ground, including the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
CalChamber Webpage
A CalChamber webpage lists resources useful for employers and local chambers who may need ready access to information important to running their operations during the Los Angeles wildfires.
The page includes state, federal and regional links on subjects such as:
- evacuation preparedness;
- fire alerts and notifications;
- FEMA wildfire assistance;
- U.S. Department of Labor requirements for paying workers and other protections during natural disasters and recovery;
- blog posts from the CalChamber and Cal/OSHA about what employers need to know;
- wildfire maps
- CAL FIRE links and contacts;
- small business capital access programs;
- a website set up by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate through which businesses can request aid;
- manufacturers sales and use tax exclusion program;
- guides to safety during wildfires;
- state Treasurer’s Office resources for fire victims;
- temporary housing;
- services for immigrant families;
- emergency animal shelters;
- how to donate (California Foundation for Commerce and Education link).
Individuals and businesses can go to this federal site to request disaster assistance: www.disasterassistance.gov/.
For more information and resources links, visit www.calchamber.com/wildfires.
