It has been heartbreaking to witness the destruction of the recent fires burning across California. We too felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to best help initially. However, we have found a few ways to help you take action if you too would like to assist those impacted by the recent CA wildfires.

Local artists are working hard to make an impact.

For instance, Lindsay Stripling has designed this charming line of “Love You Santa Cruz” apparel, with proceeds benefiting Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.

Fybr, a store located in downtown Santa Cruz is selling these cute mugs with 100% of proceeds being donated to Santa Cruz fire evacuation shelters and animal shelters. They are also offering free shipping on the mugs with code SCSTRONG.

An artist from Livermore is donating all proceeds from the sales of this “I support my California Firefighters” tee to the Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighter Foundation.

Another local artisan, True Blue Indigo is donating 100% of proceeds from her California native line to evacuation efforts and victims. She has some great products like stickers, shirts and prints.

Finally, if you, or someone you know has lost their home, artist Meg Adler of Letters, Aligned has graciously offered to draw the home, for free. Please inquire by emailing [email protected].

How to help with our local events industry family.

We are personally saddened for those we know from within the local event industry who have faced loss from the fires.

Floral designer and owner of Love and Flowers, Angie lost her home in Carmel Valley. Her husband Ramon was out helping fight the fires as a volunteer fire fighter within their community when Angie and her 3 children evacuated, to ultimately hear of their home being destroyed. A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist them with rebuilding.

Jan Wilson has been a well known baker within the Santa Cruz community for decades. Her bakery, Buttercup Cakes has grown yet remained a small family run operation in Santa Cruz for the last 10 years. Jan’s entire property was burned down in the CZU lightning complex fire including her home (where her Grandfather grew up) and commercial kitchen. A GoFundMe page has been set up for them during this difficult time.

If you’d like to donate, consider these nonprofits.

The Wildfire Relief Fund created by California Community Foundation works directly with established organizations in affected areas to maximize efforts. Thanks to generous donations they have been able to provide over $24 million to support relief and recovery efforts since opening in 2003.

GlobalGiving has also set up a CA Wildfire Relief Fund and is accepting donations. On their website you can choose to donate to an individual project to directly impact an area that you’d like to assist.

Big Basin State Park is California’s oldest state parks and has redwood trees that are over 500 years old. The historic headquarters, nature center, campgrounds and other structures at within the State Park have all been damaged or destroyed in the fires. The park has sustained extensive damage and will take quite a bit of rebuilding before the 18,000 acre park will be able to reopen. You can donate here to their rebuilding efforts.