One woman writes a prayer, which will be placed on a wall to join the other prayers.
For those of you that have not been through a fire or other disaster where you lose everything, let me try to help you understand.
Start with your kitchen. Close the door and you’re not allowed in. Try to make a meal without it. What do you need? The basics:
A place to prepare it
Pots/pans/blender/bowls/measuring cups
Spices, breadcrumbs, canned or fresh vegetables, meat
A place to cook it, an oven, a microwave
Dishes, knives, forks, spoons, cups, glasses
Napkins, dishtowels – maybe paper towels
Soap, a sink, a dishwasher
You have none of these things, which means you need to start over from the beginning.
Take a look in each room of your house and you’ll find it is similar, there are so many things you take for granted, bed, sheets, pillows, towels, clocks . . .
After a disaster, people are truly empathetic and want to help, but now that I’m living this situation, here’s what’s truly helpful, financial assistance, to buy the things one needs.
L.A. City Is not going to buy you a new bed to replace the one that burned in the fire. L.A. City is not going to pay for glasses or medications that have to be replaced or even something as simple as a bathroom rug.
All of the large fundraisers seem to send money intended for wildfire victims to nonprofits. As one resident wrote about the California Community Foundation Grants “Yet another scam on the backs of people who have lost their homes. The entire Board of Directors of Ca. Community Foundation should be imprisoned for fraud.”
The question should be asked “Will even one homeowner receive anything from the fundraisers?” Many people don’t have enough insurance money to rebuild and are going to have to borrow. Many have lost their entire investment (their home).
But, here is a shout out to one nonprofit, the Buddhist TZU CHI Foundation, who gave money to victims. They gave $1,000 debit card to be used by victims where it was most needed.
Today, the members’ kindness to everyone who was picking up a card was overwhelming. The volunteers were compassionate and listened to stories. They also gave away blankets and canned goods.
As this editor was leaving, there was a prayer wall, and people were asked if they would like to write a prayer. Mine was simple, “Please help the people of the Palisades as they go forward.”
After I posted it on the wall, a volunteer handed me a sprig of rosemary. It was then I started to cry. I had planted a “baby” rosemary plant in my front yard years ago, and it had grown into a considerable bush. My neighbors knew they could cut from it whenever they needed rosemary in a recipe.
After the fire, the plant was charred. After I told the volunteer my story, she said, “It will be back.”
Shih Cheng Yne, the founder of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, wrote in a letter “We are deeply saddened by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Our hearts are with you and we want to help and stand by you.
“. . . .Our volunteers worldwide are also rallying to send financial assistance as the relief effort continues and the rebuilding begins.
“We send our prayers to everyone affected by the wildfires. We hope that you can take comfort in knowing that you are not alone.”
We were there today. They are wonderful.
Has anyone from the CA Community Fdn read this article and responded? I certainly would like to hear from them and I believe the Ahmanson Fdn. Do they really understand? They’re are grant makers and professional, have no more understanding of personal tragedies than a big fat corporation. Churches, as in the Budhist fdn is in a better position to distribute funds raised. They understand human suffering. They are not do gooders.
We were there on Sunday. We got our blanket and canned goods. They all gave us hugs along with our sprig of rosemary. It was a moving experience. They were so nice; and we got our debit card worth $1,000.00.
Sue, you really hit the nail on the head: “The question should be asked ‘Will even one homeowner receive anything from the fundraisers?’ Many people don’t have enough insurance money to rebuild and are going to have to borrow. Many have lost their entire investment (their home).” Please continue to highlight those groups that will actually make a difference for those of us who are now displaced. As Jane suggests, let’s also have greater accountability from some of these fundraisers and foundations.