By Kathleen Sterling
It takes a tragedy to turn a big city into a small village.
L.A. is facing fires on all sides; it looks apocalyptic, and there is a long, hard road ahead.
But I am inspired by how we have sprung into action.
So many businesses have stepped up to help.
Paul and David at Cavaretta’s Deli, 22025 Sherman Way, are always the first to offer food and comfort. Airbnb is offering a free week to evacuees. L.A. Fitness, Planet Fitness and Crunch Fitness are offering free showers and WiFi. A garage door company offered to come out and open doors if power is off.
Locally Tim Gaspar is collecting essentials like gift cards, toiletries, underwear, and first aid supplies at Gaspar Insurance, 23161 Ventura. Meinecke Hardy of L.A. Hot Hair, 21912 Ventura, is doing the same and offering a free blowout to donors. Fazio Cleaners is collecting clothing at all their locations for evacuees (4732 Commons Way).
As always during a crisis, the amazing team at the Pierce Equestrian Center is sequestering large animals for their owners.
On my own front, my family and friends jumped in to load up my car as I left the canyon when the fire came over the ridge.
All over Facebook you see people offering their homes, their offices, their help.
What can you do? The large relief organizations are always boots on the ground. But this is a chance for neighbor to help neighbor.
El Camino High School is an evacuation center. Call them to find out what they need for people who’ve lost everything: sheets, towels, water, food.
If you can, get gift cards for friends or neighbors who have lost a home. Target and Starbucks could be lifesavers!
Donate old towels and blankets to an animal shelter.
Bring food, water and snacks to your local fire station. The firefighters are the true heroes here.
Pray for those who have been affected. It’s devastating to watch, and even more devastating to live through.
And please, please, slow down and watch the road! Traffic signals are out all over L.A. I’ve seen cars just barrel through a dead light. We don’t need more tragedy heaped upon tragedy.
Please be safe out there. Be alert. Unfortunately with all the good being done, there are miscreants looting and reportedly starting some of these fires.
I’ve written before about how we pull together in a crisis to help each other – and how nice it would be if it happened all the time.
Realistically it won’t. But let’s take this opportunity to do what we can. Because our neighbors need help. And the way these fires are spreading – one in West Hills just erupted as I’m writing this – who knows if you might be the next one who needs a hand up.
