As an organization based in Los Angeles, the Global Entertainment Marketing Academy of Arts & Sciences (GEMA) feels the impact of the recent wildfires that have destroyed cherished communities, displaced families and created widespread challenges across Southern California — a situation that is unfortunately continuing to unfold.
At the same time, we at GEMA have been deeply moved by the outpouring of support from our members from all over the world who have reached out to check on their colleagues and friends. This incredible solidarity exemplifies the strength and connection of our global community.
To all those affected, our thoughts are with you, your loved ones, and everyone facing evacuations or losses. We are also profoundly grateful for the bravery of first responders and volunteers working tirelessly to protect lives and homes.
As Los Angeles continues to work through this disaster, GEMA has compiled a list of resources that may help during this challenging time. We’ve also listed some crowd-funding sites for members of the entertainment marketing community who have lost their homes. If you know an entertainment marketer who has been affected by the fires, please submit their information to spotlight@gema.org to be included here.
Information and Alerts:
Los Angeles Fire Department (@losangelesfiredepartment): Stay updated with the latest information and alerts via LAFD.org/alerts.
National Weather Service (@nws): Download the NWS app for real-time weather alerts.
Watch Duty App (@watchdutyapp): Get real-time updates with interactive maps.
Ready LA County (@readylacounty): Receive phone, email, and text alerts by registering here.
Support and Resources:
LA County Recovers (@countyofla): One-stop shop for information on local, state, federal and non-profit recovery resources. Learn more.
California Fire Foundation (@cafirefound): Provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. Learn more and donate.
LA Fire Department Foundation (@lafdfoundation): A registered nonprofit offering help and support. Donate to LAFD Wildfire Emergency Fund.
California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund (@calfund): CCF ensures that resources reach those most in need, leveraging partnerships with community-based organizations and government agencies while using data from CalFire and the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index to prioritize underserved communities.Learn more.
SoCal Fire Fund (@eifoundation): Launched by CAA, Community Organized Relief Effort and the Los Angeles Unified School District Education Foundation and administered by the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Learn more.
Direct Relief: Providing medications, N95 masks, respirators and more to people in affected areas.
My Safe LA (@mysafela): Partnering with the LA Fire Department to enhance community resilience. Learn more.
County of Los Angeles Volunteers: Engage in various community support activities, including disaster response and recovery efforts. Learn more.
PayPal will match 100% of donations up to $1 million by February 12 with donations going to the following organizations: California Community Foundation, California Fire Fund, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Direct Relief and World Central Kitchen.
GoFundMe's Wildfire Relief Fund, which has already raised more than $4 million for those affected by the fires.
Mutual Aid LA: Resource Directory Spreadsheet: A Google Sheet with a ton of local resources and donation centers, updated constantly.
Food, Meals and Restaurant Workers
World Central Kitchen (@wckitchen): On the ground, providing meals for first responders and displaced people.
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank (@lafoodbank): Accepting financial and food donations as well as volunteers.
Food Trucks Fuel Relief for LA Firefighters: a GoFundMe to provide meals for first responders.
Chipotle Cultivate Foundation: Matching monetary donations from eligible Restaurant Support Center and field-based staff to charitable organizations aiding in the relief efforts. Chipotle also is supporting the American Red Cross—which is providing humanitarian relief to those impacted by the California wildfires—by rounding up orders placed in the app or on Chipotle.com.
Southern Smoke Foundation: Provides financial assistance to food-and-beverage workers who are out of work due to injury or other circumstances.
National Day Laborer Organizing Network: Immigrant Fire Relief Fund, supporting immigrant day laborers, undocumented workers and mixed status families.
California Restaurant Association's Restaurants Care: emergency fund aimed at helping California restaurant workers.
Housing and Emergency Shelter
American Red Cross Los Angeles Region: Provides shelter for those displaced by the wildfires. Learn more.
Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles: ReBUILD LA is a long-term emergency response campaign, to assist those affected to rebuild their homes, relocate to other housing, provide essential supplies, and restore their lives.
211LA: Partnering with AirBNB, American Express and Hilton to provide emergency shelter to those who have lost their homes in the fires. Fill out the form to request services.
Children and Education
Los Angeles Unified School District Education Foundation's Emergency Relief Fund: Seeking financial donations to create direct cash assistance and support to families and employees affected by the fires; support teachers and in-class resources for students at impacted schools, ensuring continuity of learning to the greatest extent possible; provide flexible assistance for mental health support, reestablishment of affected classrooms, and other immediate and long-term needs that support students, families and teachers.
Pasadena Educational Foundation: Eaton Fire Response Fund to support the Pasadena Unified School District community.
Baby2Baby (@baby2baby): A non-profit providing children living in poverty with diapers, clothing and basic necessities. Baby2Baby already has provided more than 2 million emergency supplies to affected families in Los Angeles.
It's Bigger Than Us LA: Works with low-income youth and families, offering essential resources and support through our food and resource distribution programs, education initiatives, and community-building events. Learn more.
Animals and Pets
Canine Rescue Club (@caninerescueclub): Support for displaced pets and animals. Learn more.
Best Friends Animal Society (@bestfriendsanimalsociety): Helping to save and shelter animals across the region. Learn more and donate.
Pasadena Humane Society (@pasadenahumane): PHS has taken in more than 400 animals during the Eaton fire that destroyed Altadena. Learn more and donate.
Industry
Benefit concert FIREAID to be hosted at Los Angeles' Intuit Dome on January 30 with such musical acts as Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Stevie Nicks and more. Read more.
MusiCares: MusiCares is a resource to eligible music professionals impacted by natural disasters, including the fires in the greater Los Angeles area. Reach out for help: MusiCaresRelief@musicares.org or 800-687-4227. Learn more.
Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation (@wrpioneers): Providing emergency grants to industry members.
Fundraisers for members of the global entertainment marketing community:
Adam Lewis, senior VP, marketing, Debmar-Mercury: The Lewis family lost their home in the Palisades.
Lori Jackson, director, integrated design, FX Networks: Jackson lost the home she had only recently purchased in Altadena.
