California Wildfires and How You Can Help

***Update*** 

Longtime NAMM member, Charvel Guitars workshop in Paradise, California was destroyed in the Camp Fire. Michael Charvel shared that "In less than a couple hours, everything was destroyed. He’s [Wayne Charvel] been building guitars since 1959. A lifetime of work is destroyed in a couple hours." 

In addition to the workshop, all six family members lost their homes to the fire. The family has set-up a GoFundMe account to help with temporary relocation expenses and are accepting donations here: https://www.gofundme.com/wayne-guitars-wayne-charvel-shop?fbclid=IwAR0zJXGWPymF9h3maBTNlH9iR_cnPBE6joy5n5OLP0dOB8hlEeVp6mpHtfg

NAMM continues to monitor the situation and encourages members impacted by these tragic events to contact us.

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The Camp, Hill, and Woosley Fires in California have impacted many of our NAMM members and friends and marked the most devastating wildfires that California has ever seen. Our heartfelt thoughts go out to our members, partners, and friends, and everyone affected.

For members looking to provide assistance those affected by the wildfires, USA Today and other news outlets have published a list of ways to assist statewide relief organizations working in the affected areas, as well as those displaced by the fires:

American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is helping those in northern and southern California with finding shelter and providing assistance. The organization has listed ways for you to help. If you would like to make a $10 donation, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999.

CCF Wildfire Relief Fund: The organization helps provide intermediate and long-term recovery efforts for major California wildfires and has local initiatives to help out those affected by the blaze.

California Volunteers: The state-run office manages programs and initiatives helping to increase public service in California. The group has activated for the disasters and has ways for you to help out, whether it be financially, volunteering or with donated goods, in each of the fires.

Other ways to help include:

For those in neighboring cities and counties, Airbnb has initiated their Open Homes Program, where hosts can volunteer their listings to house victims, volunteers and first responders for free temporarily.

The non-profit California Fire Foundation is also accepting donations to distribute emergency funds to fire victims statewide.

The Ventura County Community Foundation, which has established the Hill Fire/Woolsey Fire Sudden and Urgent Needs Effort Fund to support the immediate needs of community nonprofit organizations serving those affected by the wildfires.

The Humane Society of Ventura County, to assist in the recovery and care of displaced animals.

The United Way of Greater Los Angeles has established a Disaster Relief Fund for the wildfires; their efforts specifically help homeless and low-income individuals recover after fires and other natural disasters in the area.

The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation's Noah's Legacy Fund will be used to buy food, shelter and medical care for dogs, cats, horses and other domesticated animals sheltered during the fires.