This weekend I figured it’d be better to make an appeal for those that have lost so much in the Camp and Woolsey wildfires here in California. Digital Anarchy is based in San Francisco, that has sat under a cloud of smoke from the Camp Fire for most of the last two weeks, and I grew up in the Simi Valley/Thousand Oaks area of Southern California that was the epicenter for the Woolsey fire. I have friends and family that were affected by these fires in small and large ways.
We all have a lot to be thankful this weekend for but this is a reminder that we can lose everything, including our lives. Giving some perspective to the true meaning of Thanksgiving, beyond the Black Friday sales, discounts, and fighting for things we don’t need at Walmart. Digital Anarchy is not immune to this, we’ve always done sales around now and, yeah, we’ll have a sale Monday. But I thought it more important today to acknowledge the devastation some communities have faced and promote ways to give to those communities.
This might be eye roll inducing. I get it. It’s difficult to turn something we usually use for marketing into some sort of feel good appeal for charity. But here it is. We actually give a damn about the communities we live/work in and sell to. Both Northern and Southern California are significant in all those ways. If you’ve been in media and entertainment for any length of time you probably have friends that either were affected or live perilously close to the affected areas.
So below are ways you can give to those affected. Take a moment to give thanks for the things you have and maybe consider donating money instead of buying that smart toaster, squishy toy or dancing, AI-enabled robot. You can help people rebuild and get back on their feet. If you’ve ever been in that position you understand how much that means and how much gratitude comes from it.
Financial donations are what’s needed most right now. Most of the below organizations have lots of food and clothing. Financial donations make sure they can get what they really need.
Donations for The Woolsey Fire in Southern California
Ventura County Community Foundation:
United Way of Ventura County or text “UWVC” to 41444
Humane Society of Ventura County (for animals)
American Red Cross: 1-800-733-27677 or text REDCROSS to 90999
Donations for The Camp Fire in Northern California
North Valley Community Foundation: 530-366-0397
Caring Choices: 530-899-3873
American Red Cross: 1-800-733-27677 or text REDCROSS to 90999
United Way of Northern California: To donate, text BUTTEFIRE to 91999
Go Fund Me: Click here to donate
North Valley Animal Disaster Group: donate here