Disney donates $15 million to Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts trendy blogger

The Walt Disney Company is donating $15 million to response and rebuilding efforts amid ongoing Southern California wildfires. Likewise, Paramount is donating $1 million to organizations on the ground, including the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Rescue Foundation, Red Cross, Direct Relief, World Central Kitchen, and Best Friends Animal Society. Meanwhile, CAA has launched the SoCal Fire Fund to provide support to those affected. The fund is managed by the Entertainment Industry Foundation.

“As this tragedy continues, The Walt Disney Company is committed to supporting our community and employees as we all work together to recover and rebuild from this incredible devastation,” CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. “Walt Disney came to Los Angeles with nothing but his boundless imagination, and this is where he chose to make his home, pursue his dreams, and create extraordinary storytelling that means so much to so many people around the world. We are proud to provide assistance to this resilient and vibrant community in this moment of need.”

In the statement announcing the $15 million commitment, Disney also expressed its gratitude to the firefighters and first responders who continue to work amid the ongoing emergency, as well as the company’s local reporters at KABC for their coverage.

“We will support vital organizations providing essential services on the ground, including the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, among others,” Disney’s statement said. “In addition, we have been working around the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees, many of whom have been affected by these fires, and we intend to provide more resources to our Employee Relief Fund to assist those facing hardship as a result of this crisis.”

Paramount announced its donation in an internal memo distributed to employees of co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins. The statement also shares resources for affected employees and a matching donation link to the company’s employee assistance fund.

“We also want to express our appreciation and thanks to our dedicated CBS journalists, news teams and stations on the ground in Los Angeles, especially our local KCBS/KCAL newsroom and our CBS News LA bureau,” Paramount’s statement said. “Many of them and their families have been personally affected by the fires, and they continue to attend to keep their communities informed.”

The SoCal Fire Fund, launched by CAA, organized community relief efforts and the Los Angeles Unified School District Education Foundation, has secured seed funding from CAA leadership and is looking for additional partners to provide an equitable recovery.

“The scale of loss to neighbors across Los Angeles is enormous and requires a strong, compassionate and resilient response – one that prioritizes their immediate and long-term needs for recovery,” said Natalie Tran, Executive Director of the CAA Foundation. “We are grateful for the expertise of our long-standing partners for coming together to provide this unique and comprehensive approach. We invite all individuals, networks and businesses to join us as we confront this still-unfolding crisis.”

Paramount and Disney’s contributions to the relief effort are the latest in a continuing series of donations from the entertainment industry to support those affected by the fires. EIF announced Wednesday morning that the nonprofit has activated a program to direct public donations to frontline workers, displaced families and pets. EIF last managed a fund for the 2023 Maui fires alongside Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson. Earlier in the week, Apple CEO Tim Cook shared that the tech giant would be donating to support victims and recovery efforts.

On Thursday, Jamie Lee Curtis shared on social media that she and her family pledged $1 million to establish a fund to help those affected by the ongoing wildfires.

“I am in contact with Governor Newsom, Mayor Bass, and Senator Schiff about where these funds should be directed to make the greatest impact,” she wrote on Instagram.

More than 20,000 acres have burned in Pacific Palisades and Malibu since the fire started Tuesday morning. East of Los Angeles, the Eaton Fire has burned more than 13,000 acres in Altadena. A third fire, the Hearst Fire, burned more than 700 acres in the San Fernando Valley.

The wildfires have prompted the entertainment industry to cancel or reschedule several events in the Los Angeles area, including red carpet premieres for “Unstoppable,” “The Last Showgirl,” “Better Man” and “Wolf Man.” The Critics’ Choice Awards, which were scheduled to be held on January 12, have been postponed to January 26, while the Oscar nominations announcement has been postponed by two days (to January 19) to accommodate the extended voting window. Production on shows such as “Fallout,” “Abbott Elementary” and “Hacks” has also been suspended.

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