Chicagoland Residents Rally to Support Southern California Wildfire Victims
A Call to Action
As the wildfires continue to burn and the devastation unfolds in Southern California, people everywhere are asking what they can do to help, including here in Chicagoland.
Personal Stories of Loss
Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot shared a personal story of loss, describing the experience of her 96-year-old uncle and aunt, William and Minnie Washington, who had little to no time to evacuate their home in Altadena. “Luckily physically they are fine. That’s just the hand of God. That’s the only thing you can say about that, but they have literally lost everything. The house I’ve been going to since I was a little girl, the only thing that’s left is the cement steps and a metal railing,” Lightfoot said.
First Responders Continue to Fight the Fires
First responders in Southern California continue to fight the historic fires that have killed at least 10 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.
Chicagoland Residents Take Action
Here in Chicagoland, people are doing what they can to help. The American Red Cross of Illinois is deploying volunteer Vicky Brown from Rockford. “We anticipate we are going to have to open up more shelters as the threat of the fire continues,” Brown said. “There’s going to be a lot of devastation; there’s going to be a lot of people that lost everything, their homes, cars and sometimes, like Hurricane Helene, they also lost their workplace and were not able to bring in an income.”
GoFundMe Campaign Launched
Two Northwestern University students, freshmen Nate Berman and Nonso Kojo-Onwaeze, are teaming up to launch a GoFundMe for victims of the fires. Proceeds from their fundraiser will go directly to the California Fire Foundation. “We’re still not sure if our home is standing or not. We have so many close friends who have lost everything. Brutal to see the place I grew up destroyed,” Berman said.
Encouragement to Donate
Former Mayor Lightfoot encourages people to donate to trusted fundraising efforts. “People that have taken it upon themselves to start GoFundMe campaigns and other things like that, God bless them because it’s going to be needed,” Lightfoot said. “No government intervention is going to come close to remotely compensate folks for the losses they have experienced.”
Conclusion
As the recovery efforts begin, it’s clear that the road ahead will be long and challenging for those affected by the wildfires. However, with the support of people like Vicky Brown, Nate Berman, and Nonso Kojo-Onwaeze, there is hope for a brighter future.
FAQs
Q: How can I help support the victims of the wildfires?
A: You can donate to trusted fundraising efforts, such as the GoFundMe campaign launched by Northwestern University students Nate Berman and Nonso Kojo-Onwaeze, or consider volunteering with organizations like the American Red Cross of Illinois.
Q: What is the California Fire Foundation?
A: The California Fire Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides support to firefighters and their families, as well as affected communities.
Q: How can I stay updated on the wildfires and recovery efforts?
A: You can follow reputable news sources, such as WGN News, for updates on the wildfires and recovery efforts.
