The historic wildfires that continue to ravage the sprawling corners of Los Angeles County—from the Palisades to the Eaton Fires—are leaving a devastating impact on our community. Thousands of residents have lost their homes, and many face an unimaginable journey to rebuild for years to come. In this moment of profound need, the Los Angeles LGBT Center is showing up to do what we do best: care for the people who are in need of help.
In just 48 hours, we showed what love can do in times of crisis by organizing a relief drive at our Anita May Rosenstein Campus. The outpouring of support was nothing short of extraordinary. On a sunny Sunday morning, a caravan of cars lined up around the block with folks eager to donate, with some folks pulling over to join and nearly 100 volunteers to help sort, pack, and deliver supplies.
Twenty trips were made by a fleet of vans and personal vehicles to on-the-ground distribution centers, delivering the goods we collected directly to impacted communities. We were also able to provide immediate relief to directly impacted staff and clients by giving them access to the supplies gathered.
The relief drive was more than a logistical effort; it was a testament to the enduring power of urgent and collective action that the LGBTQ+ community is known for. It reminded us that, even in the face of immense tragedy, our instinct is to help one another. This is the spirit that defines Los Angeles. Times like these remind us of the good that is pervasive in our humanity. After all, it’s the City of Angels for a reason.
Some of those angels are our firefighters—whom we commend for their bravery—while others are everyday people like the Center’s staff, volunteers, and other supporters who rise to meet these moments of need.
While the drive has ended, the crisis has not, which means our work to support those affected by the fires will continue. The Center continues to offer our assistance to LA’s larger efforts while preparing for the long-term recovery efforts that will be required.
Thank you for linking arms with us and showing the world what our community is capable of when we come together to support one another. Together, we can help our neighbors rebuild and recover, turning compassion into tangible change.
Meanwhile if yourself or someone you know needs additional support, click here for a list of LA County-specific resources spanning mental health and emergency services.
