Todd Martens, Alyssa Bereznak, Kailyn Brown, Sonaiya Kelley, Maxwell Williams, Deborah Netburn, Michelle Woo and Deborah Vankin
The Los Angeles County firestorm has caused devastation to communities in and around the Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, Sylmar and Hollywood. Those looking for a way to help will find an abundance of organizations and services in need of volunteers or resources.
Although situations and needs may change rapidly, the havoc caused by the blazes — more than 28,000 acres have been scorched and at least 2,000 homes, businesses and other buildings have been lost — requires immediate and long-term relief. The Times has compiled a list here of state, regional and local grassroots organizations in need of funds or supplies.
Here you will find an ongoing list of ways to assist via volunteering. This story will be updated as more organizations post their needs for support.
Note that due to the outpouring of support, not every group will still be in need of volunteers. One is advised to call or email the organization before showing up.
What you’ll do: Transport resources, pack and distribute supplies. To volunteer, simply go to the It’s Bigger Than Us headquarters in Leimert Park.
When: The organization posts information about volunteering daily at itsbiggerthanusla.org/volunteer. Volunteers must register ahead of time.
Where: 4308 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles
Details: @itsbiggerthanus_ on Instagram and itsbiggerthanusla.org/volunteer
What you’ll do: Help receive items, sort and distribute goods. They are also accepting donations — current needs include clothes (such as brand-new underwear), Ziploc bags to sort donations, feminine products, Tylenol, Advil, cough syrup (including for kids) and Pepto-Bismol.
When: Call the center to find out specific needs at (626) 440-0112.
Where: Pasadena Community Job Center, 500 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena
Details: @pasadenajobcenter on Instagram
What you’ll do: Sort and organize donations (clothing, bedding, etc.) and put together care packages with hygiene products. The center is also looking for drivers to deliver resources to Pacific Palisades residents.
When: The center will be accepting volunteers through Monday at select hours. If you want to volunteer, call the branch at (310) 477-1511 to check if and what time they need help. All volunteers will be required to sign a liability form. The center is also accepting donations for nonperishable food, water, tote bags and hygiene products.
Where: 1466 S. Westgate Ave., Los Angeles
What you’ll do: Quirk is hosting a donation-based free clothing boutique, which they hope to fill with functional apparel that people will want to wear long term. Volunteers will organize and sort donated items. The store is also requesting for helpers to bring racks and hangers to display the clothing. Owner Melynda Choothesa is particularly seeking volunteers who work in the fashion industry or have experience working with thrifted and vintage clothing to assist with making the clothes look presentable. “They’ve already been through enough,” says Choothesa, adding that she wants the boutique to feel and look beautiful. “They don’t need to feel like they are some charity case.”
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until further notice.
Where: 112 W. 9th St. #200, Los Angeles, CA 90015
What you’ll do: Volunteer to foster an animal for whatever length of time works best for you
When: Ongoing
Where: At your home
Details: Best Friends provides the resources you’ll need to care for a foster pet. To get started, you’ll need to fill out an application online, complete a 15- to 20-minute orientation, create a volunteer profile and sign a few forms. For more information call Best Friends L.A. or email [email protected]
What you’ll do: Old Town Pasadena’s café and cheese shop has become a donation center and dropoff point as well as communal hub for those in need of a space to spend time. The location is seeking volunteers for a number of roles — but primarily to organize clothes and help wash dishes. Updates and needs are being posted on a Google spreadsheet.
When: Slots are available during the café’s morning and afternoon open hours, and are currently slated to run through Jan. 18.
Where: 88 E. Union St., Pasadena
Details: @weareneighborsandfriends on Instagram
What you’ll do: Prepare and serve meals to people experiencing homelessness or receive and distribute food to nonprofits affected by fires.
When: The dinner program takes place every day. Volunteers for receiving and distributing food to be distributed to other organizations are needed on weekdays.
Where: 5939 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
Details: Volunteers must sign up online at this link: https://hofoco.org/volunteering-about/. The Hollywood Food Coalition cannot accept volunteers who have not signed up online.
What you’ll do: Sort and pass out donations. Donations needed include water, diapers, baby bottles, packaged snacks, masks, hygiene kits, blankets and pillows only.
When: Daily from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: 236 W. Mountain St., Pasadena
Details: For more information, contact Brandon Lamar at (626) 314-4256 or [email protected]
What you’ll do: Give out essentials including food, water, clothing, hygiene products and more.
When: Fridays from 5:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Where: 1017 E. 7th St., Los Angeles
Details: Call Evie at (214) 784-9547 for more information
What you’ll do: Downtown’s YMCA location is seeking volunteers to help sort and organize donations. The organization is serving as a donation drop-off point and is need of undergarments, socks, paper towels, toilet paper, large boxes, bins, non-perishable food, laundry supplies, hygiene supplies, school supplies, power banks and phone chargers.
When: Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Jan. 17. The YMCA will update its needs on its Instagram.
Where: 401 S Hope St., Los Angeles
Details: @ketchumdowntownymca YMCA on Instagram
What you’ll do: Help with horse care, such as feeding and medicines; help reconnect animals with owners. Note: In addition, the competition and events facility is equipped with RV hookups, so they can accommodate evacuees who want to stay close to their horses.
When TBD — they’re creating a master list to be utilized soon, as needed. Text your name and “Volunteer” to their phone number. Someone will reach out.
Where: 3801 Hughes Pkwy., Paso Robles, CA 93446
Details: @pasorobleshorsepark
What you’ll do: After collecting donations, the nonprofit organization has turned its wellness studio into a pickup center where those who’ve been displaced by the fires can get items such as gift cards to popular stores (Target, Ralphs, Costco, CVS, Home Depot, etc.), nonperishable food, N95 masks, bottled water, toiletries, new garments and more. Volunteers are needed to help pass out items and to deliver resources to people who travel to the studio.
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13 and Tuesday, Jan. 14
Where: 4019 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019
Details: Check @walkgoodla on Instagram for volunteer updates and driver needs.
What you’ll do: They are housing horses in need right now. You’d be feeding and walking horses, cleaning stalls, among other things.
When: TBD. They’re making a list of equestrian volunteer needs for people with equestrian experience only. As their boarding grows, they’ll be taking volunteers. They’re also sharing this list with others in their equestrian network.
Where: 16200 Temple Ave., City of Industry
Details: @IndustryExpoCenter on Instagram or (626) 330-0324
What you’ll do: Unload trucks and sort donations; help families in need find clothing, food, bedding and other essential items at the donation center.
When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 19
Where: 8020 Alverstone Ave., Los Angeles
Details: @westchesterymca on Instagram or (310) 670-4316
What you’ll do: The Black-owned cycling and Common Unity Arts is seeking volunteers to organize and sort donations from Monday, Jan. 13 through Tuesday, Jan. 14. Then, for the next two days, helpers will pass out items. The studio is also looking for people who would be willing to provide encouragement and lend an ear to people who may need it.
When: Monday, Jan. 13 through Thursday, Jan. 16. Volunteers may also be needed on Friday, Jan. 17 and Saturday, Jan. 18 to deliver any leftover items to people who may need them.
Where: 1218 N. La Brea Ave., Inglewood
Details: The best way to stay updated is by following @burncycling on Instagram for updates.
What you’ll do: The Chabad of Malibu and the L.A. Strong Foundation are co-hosting a donation center where those affected by the fires can get clothing, toys, food and other goods. Volunteers will organize and display items, as well as greet and comfort visitors as they shop. The organization is also looking for professional mental health experts, insurance agents and lawyers to assist and talk to people on site. There will be a seating area with couches and chairs where visitors can relax and eat for free. The donation center is open to people of all religious backgrounds.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13 through Friday, Jan. 17
Where: 22943 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Details: Follow @chabadofmalibu and/or @lastrongfoundation on Instagram for updates.
What you’ll do: Be Nice Have Fun gift shop has teamed up with three other Highland Park stores (Proud Mary Fashion, Mas Amor and Pop-Hop) to collect various donations. They are seeking volunteers to put together hygienic care packages for people affected by the Eaton fire. Helpers may also be asked to drive resources to nonprofit sites, which will distribute the care packages.
Those who would like to donate are asked to bring Ziploc bags for packaging, menstrual products (tampons, pads, etc.), adult diapers and travel-sized hygiene products such as toothpaste, mouthwash and soap. Be Nice Have Fun is no longer accepting clothing donations. Also, Auntie’s Coffee will be providing free coffee for volunteers.
When: 11 a.m. to p.m. from Monday, Jan. 13 through Friday, Jan. 17.
Where: 5011 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042
Details: Follow @shopbenicehavefun on Instagram for updates or call the store at (323) 681-2788.
Update: The Pasadena Humane Society is no longer in need of additional foster volunteers at this time. “Most of the animals in our care are emergency boarding pets staying at the shelter so they can quickly be reunited with their families as soon as they are able to go home,” the organization shared on Instagram. Monetary donations are still needed to help cover critical expenses, including the care of burned and injured animals.
What you’ll do: Foster a displaced pet.
When: Althoughthe Pasadena Human Society is most urgently in need of donations — those interested can give here — the organization, at the time of writing, is also seeking those who may be able to foster a dog or cat for at least one week. Interested parties should email [email protected].
Where: 361 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena
Details: @pasadenahumaneon Instagram
What you’ll do: Help man the retail center. The larger Labelle Foundation is also taking volunteers to help sort and distribute donations, as well as drive items to other animal welfare partners.
When: Seven days a week, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: 5751 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019
Details: labellefoundation.org/lafires, bellesboarding on Instagram or text (323) 627-3821.
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