VENTURA, Calif., Dec. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As fires
continue to rage throughout Southern
California, Annenberg Foundation has quickly responded and
pledged $400,000 to United Way of
Ventura County's Thomas Fire Fund.
It is the largest gift to date for the victims and first responder
fund that has generated attention online and throughout the
country.
"Annenberg Foundation's commitment is an incredibly timely and
compassionate gift to the residents of Ventura County in their time of need," said
Eric Harrison, President and CEO of
United Way of Ventura County. "As
the lead gift to the Thomas Fire Fund, Annenberg Foundation's
generosity will help us reach our goal of raising $1 million for the vital resources and recovery
efforts our community needs immediately."
"These are heartbreaking days for Southern California, especially as the
holidays approach. As wildfires continue to rage across
greater Los Angeles – destroying
property, upending families, and claiming lives – it's a powerful
reminder of how fragile and vulnerable we all are," said
Wallis Annenberg, Chairman, CEO
& President of Annenberg Foundation. "I believe it is a call to
arms as well – for us to band together and stand as one against
immense hardship. That's why the trustees of the Annenberg
Foundation – Charles Weingarten,
Gregory Weingarten, Lauren Bon, and I – have all together decided to
give in this timely fashion to the Ventura County United Way's
Thomas Fire Fund and welcome others to do the same. Let's make
these days a model of community action together."
Shortly after the fire began, United Way of Ventura County set up the Thomas Fire Fund and
a text-to-give campaign. 100% of the donations will support those
in the community affected by the wildfires. Donations can be made
by texting UWVC to 41444, online at www.vcunitedway.org or calling
805-485-6288. Checks may be sent to the United Way office at 702
County Square Drive, Suite 100, Ventura,
CA 93003. Please write "Thomas Fire Fund" in the memo.
The Thomas Fire continues to threaten lives and property
throughout Ventura County,
scorching more than 96,000 acres so far and forcing thousands of
residents to flee.
To respond, United Way of Ventura
County, the American Red Cross of Ventura County, and the Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency
Services have formed a strategic partnership that will be
vital in helping the community recover. Notably, the residents
of the 150 homes and several apartment buildings that have already
been destroyed – and the estimated 600 people who are being
temporarily housed at the fairgrounds – will need our support and
resources. If you know anyone affected by the fires, please call
2-1-1 or text thomasfire to 898-211 to get connected and get
answers.
In the aftermath of spontaneous disasters, many generous
community members step up to help those in need around them.
One of the challenges after a catastrophe strikes is mobilizing
those caring citizens so they can effectively help their
neighbors and neighborhoods. In order to best engage
spontaneous volunteers during a disaster, United Way, the Red
Cross, and the Sheriff's Department are collaborating so that
community members can volunteer easily and be directed to the City
and County departments – or community-based organizations –
where their volunteering will have the most impact.
The Thomas Fire is still out of control and continues to expand,
threatening lives and homes in Ventura
County. United Way, the American Red Cross, and the
Sheriff's Office will continue to work closely together to meet the
evolving needs in our community.
Staff and volunteers from the Office of Emergency Services,
United Way, Red Cross, Volunteer Agencies Active in Disaster
(VOAD), Lutheran Social Services, and Southern Baptist Disaster
Relief have an agreement on how best to implement and manage the
wildfire relief fund. These partners determined that United Way
will manage the disaster fund, accept contributions, make
distributions, promote the fund, and be responsible for providing a
report to the community on how the funds were used. After the
wildfire is contained, a committee of representatives from
community- and faith-based organizations will be convened to assess
needs and allocate money from the fund. Committee participation
will be driven by the communities affected and the services needed
in response to the disaster.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Foundation is a
family foundation that provides funding and support to nonprofit
organizations in the United States and globally. Since
1989, it has generously funded programs in education and youth
development; arts, culture and humanities; civic and community
life; health and human services; and animal services and the
environment. In addition, the Foundation and its Board of Directors
are directly involved in the community with innovative projects
that further its mission of advancing a better tomorrow through
visionary leadership today. Among them are Annenberg
Alchemy, Annenberg Learner, Annenberg Space for
Photography, explore, GRoW @ Annenberg and
the Metabolic Studio. The Foundation encourages the
development of effective ways to communicate by sharing ideas and
knowledge.
United Way of Ventura
County
In the aftermath of a disaster, United Way's
Ventura County Volunteer Center will serve as an online, call,
and walk-in center for spontaneous volunteers. The Volunteer Center
will register volunteers and coordinate with the Sheriff's
Office of Emergency Services to place them where they can do the
most good for the community. 2-1-1 Ventura County will also be available 24/7 to
register volunteers, answer questions, and connect those in
need with the resources to help them.
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SOURCE The Annenberg Foundation