Ep. 30: The L.A. Fires: Critical Tips for What You Can Do (and What You Can Avoid Doing)
Gen Xers, can take the grit and the determination and the camaraderie that we were raised with . . . to support Angeleno's through this awful tragedy. ~ Michele Walter
On January 7, 2025, several fires broke out in the Los Angeles, California area that ripped through neighborhoods, destroying thousands of homes, businesses, and other structures, displacing people and animals, and taking the lives of some. Two of these fires have been the third and fourth most destructive fires in California history.
And a week later, they are still burning, with the possibility of increasingly strong Santa Ana winds destroying the progress that exhausted firefighters have made.
In the face of horrific tragedy, people often look for hope. Given that I started a 2-part series last week on how to give up hope (with the intention of posting part 2 of that series today) I wanted to add a new footnote to that series today to talk about:
🗝 [09:17] 3 things not to say or do for victims of the fires
🗝️ [16:20] 6 concrete things we can do;
🗝️ [27:49] a Metta or Loving-Kindness practice; and
🗝️ [31:52] something stronger than hope
And these tips don’t just apply for supporting people through the L.A. fires . . . they apply any time we see someone suffering in the face of unimaginable loss or heartbreak.
As Gen X’ers, we can learn to harness the grit, determination, and camaraderie that we were raised with to support others . . . and ourselves . . . through devastating tragedies. Our constant growth edge is to learn to do so without pushing toxic positivity or unsolicited advice on others, trying to “fix, manage, or control” their experiences, and taking action in ways that we don’t burn ourselves out.
This week’s episode gives insights on how we can do all of that . . .
as well as how we can find something stronger than hope to help others and us move through these tragedies . . . .
⭐️ Non-Exhaustive List of Resources
This list will be updated periodically and is current as of Jan. 13, 2025. If you know of another resource or organization to include, please email podcast@lifefromthesummit.com with information.
💗 Volunteer-Oriented Resources
Volunteer with the Red Cross (applications can take a week or more and don’t be disappointed if you can’t volunteer right away. Help will still be needed after the flames dissipate).
Join LAIT911’s Disaster Relief Team: “LAIT911 is an all-volunteer fire & rescue non-profit organization dedicated to keeping communities safe and informed throughout disaster. Our mission is simple: to mitigate the risk and impact of disasters, and provide crucial resources to the community when they happen.”
It’s Bigger Than Us (transport resource, pack and distribute supplies)
Los Angeles list of places to volunteer
💝 Donation-Oriented Resources
California Community Foundation, Wildlife Recovery Fund
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation (seeking emergency funds)
Go Fund Me Dedicated Pages for those affected by the California wildfires
Mutual Aid Network of Los Angeles (a collection of mutual aid groups across the greater LA area)
Y.M.C.A. of Metropolitan Los Angeles
Direct Relief (handing out N95 masks and respirators)
World Central Kitchen (providing fresh meals to impacted communities in California)
Save the Children (ensuring essential supplies to get children impacted by the fires)
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank (list of items to donate)
LA Dream Center (they have been updating their Instagram account everyday with needed and not needed items)
Baby2Baby (providing emergency supplies to vulnerable children and their families)
Families for Black Lives (dedicated to the families of the Eaton Fire, which has destroyed historically Black communities)
Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)
🐶 Animal-Oriented Resources
Pasadena Humane Society (accepting donations and fostering)
Believe Ranch and Rescue (horse rescue)
Best Friends (“emergency response team is on the ground in Los Angeles, offering help and support to other local animal welfare organizations while also working to ensure the safety of our own pets and staff in our Pet Adoption Center”)
SPCALA (adopt a pet to free up space for displaced animals)
World Animal Protection (helping wild animals)
Complete list of shelters and rescues helping companion and wild animals compiled by World Animal Protection
Canine Rescue Club (tax-deductible donations to help with pet rescue)
🙏🏻 Compassion practice
Watch this Compassion Circle practice (I recorded this live a couple of years ago in response to the war on Ukraine, but it’s universally applicable to all tragedies)
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