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Warning: This blog post contains sensitive content that can trigger some people.
I have been following the havoc wreaked by the fires in California and my heart bleeds for all those affected – people who have lost their homes, their memories, and everything they’ve work for. Fires do not choose. They take everything with them because they burn everything in their way. Destruction.
As of January 10, 2025, California is battling a number of extremely damaging wildfires, especially around Los Angeles. These include the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Woodley fires, which together have burned over 26,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 buildings. Around 155,000 people have been moved from their homes.
But what has really been getting under my skin is seeing people online say things like, “Oh those people are rich they’ll just rebuild.” Or, “They don’t need our help – they have money.”
Hear me out, loss is loss, no two ways about it. It doesn’t matter whether one is rich, well-off, or living from hand to mouth. To lose your house, your possession, and at times a person or pet’s life! Losing your home, your sense of security – horrific for anybody! I know first hand what that feels like, how devastating it was for me years ago when it happened to me. Unless you’ve lived through it you’ll never know how it really is and how damaging it is to the people affected by it! To these trolls and cruel people on their social media throwing mockery and cruel words to the people going through the loss of their homes and everything they have, I want to say; “Don’t you think you could reach inside of yourself for an ounce of compassion ? Don’t you think if it was you going through a traumatic and devastating situation you would want someone to be there for you and to help you ? You can have nothing or everything, it has nothing to do with money and physical things, it has to do with what kind of person you are inside.”
Maybe the richness can make someone build another house, but richness cannot make that person forget the shock, the sorrow, the feeling of being displaced and losing everything you’ve ever know.
Let’s not judge people by what we think they have but rather lead with compassion. Disasters of this nature ought to be a wakeup call that at the end of it all, we are human and constantly need each other irrespective of where we come from, or what we have.
How You Can Help
If you’ve been feeling like you want to do something but don’t know where to start, here are a few ideas:
1. Donate What You Can
It does not have to be a lot, every dollar counts. Seek out certified organizations giving aid, like the Red Cross or local food banks and community relief funds.
2. Support Local Efforts
Smaller, sometimes more local grassroots organizations can sometimes reach people in need more directly. Search for local groups that are collecting supplies or housing for the displaced.
3. Spread Information
Even if you can’t donate, spread awareness. The power in knowing where else the help can be directed is in your hands. Social media becomes a useful resource when the right resources are amplified.
4. Avoid Hurtful Comments
Be kind. You do not know what someone is going through; do not assume. You don’t know what they have or don’t have, what they’re going through in their life, what they’ve been through, what it means for them, we are all human beings we all bleed when we get cut, no one deserves to go through tragedy, If you can’t be supportive..if you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything. Just don’t. This world needs more kindness and people that help and support each other in times of need.
5. Offer Emotional Support
If you know someone affected, or even if you don’t know them but you know you can help, reach out – sometimes, just knowing someone cares can make the world different during those tough moments!
Final Thoughts
This is something that could happen to anybody. No one is immune to the chaos that life sometimes throws at you. I’ve lived through a house fire years ago and lost everything myself. I know too well the devastation, the shock and feeling of helplessness and overwhelming fear and grief of having lost it all in a matter of minutes. Having to start over with nothing is a hard thing to do and the aftershock and trauma takes years to repair…these are families, with children, pets and they are need of help, and community getting together, not cruel and heartless comments and terrible remarks towards them..So, let’s stop the judgement and instead try to help out. Compassion doesn’t cost a thing, and it’s something we could all use a little bit more of right now.
To the people in California who are dealing with unimaginable loss: you are in our hearts. And to the rest of us, watching from afar: let’s do what we can. However small it may seem. Together. Kindness in numbers.
If you’re not sure where to donate: donate to the Red Cross. They helped me when I needed it.
#redcross #donate #california #fires #wildfires #news
