Meetings and event professionals are among the many devastated by wildfires raging across Los Angeles. Here are some disaster relief resources that can help.
Wildfires continue to ravage the Los Angeles area – so far, they have killed 24 people, destroyed 12,000 buildings and homes, and burned an area of more than 60 square miles. And, with high winds expected to continue sweeping the region Wednesday and the Palisades and Eaton Fires continuing to burn, the danger isn’t over yet.
According to reports, fortunately, downtown Los Angeles has escaped the impact of the wildfires, and the Los Angeles Convention Center is continuing to hold meetings and events as planned. But that doesn’t mean meetings and event professionals in the greater Los Angeles area escaped the personal devastation of the fires.
Another resource affected planners in the Los Angeles area can turn to is the SEARCH Foundation, which was founded 28 years ago to assist event, meeting and catering professionals in need due to illness or disaster. The organization is ready to help and has put together a special resource page specifically for meeting, event and catering professionals who need help due to the Los Angeles fires. Meeting experts can request assistance by filling out the simple form on this page. SEARCH has also compiled a list of relevant resources and Los Angeles wildfire support sites, from FEMA to the Red Cross to the California Department of Insurance.
Destination International also took immediate action by launching the Los Angeles Wildlife Recovery Fund, which raised more than $100,000 in just 72 hours after its launch to provide relief and support to the Los Angeles community. Organizations that have donated $10,000 to the fund include Visit Baltimore, Visit Greater Palm Springs, IMEX Group, Visit West Hollywood, Visit Anaheim, Visit Newport Beach and Hunden Partners. Donors who have donated $5,000 so far include Longwoods International, Meet Boston and Visit Seattle. DI said it welcomes donations from DMOs, convention and visitors bureaus and individuals. Donations can be made directly through the website. 100% of all donations will go directly to recovery efforts in the affected areas.
“We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from Destination International members and partners, as well as the broader travel industry,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destination International. “This recovery fund underscores the strength of our communities and our shared commitment to stand with Los Angeles in its time of need.”
The International Destinations Foundation will work closely with Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Visitors & Convention Bureau, and Kristin McGrath, CDME, executive director of Visit Pasadena, to determine what to expect in the coming weeks and months. The most impactful allocation of funds.
There are plenty of other ways to support relief and recovery efforts – Discover Los Angeles has compiled information on how to help – but be sure to vet the charity thoroughly, because sadly, disasters also seem to spawn a search for help from other sources Profitable fraudster. A tragedy for the people. Charity Navigator is a website that reviews charities — check out its “Where to Give Now” page for a list of organizations it thinks are ideally suited to helping those in need during the Los Angeles wildfires.
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