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California Wildfires and Louisiana Floods: What can you do to Help?

Unit and concord in multiethnic team, all hands togetherThe Blue Cut wildfires in Southern California and the recent flooding in Louisiana have raised concerns among our American Gem Society (AGS) members, industry peers, family, and friends.
This outflow of concern prompted us to compile a list of organizations that are requesting goods or monetary donations for the affected areas, and we’d like to share this list with you. If you’d like to help, please visit the following websites and feel free to pass this information on to others.

CALIFORNIA

American Red Cross – Desert to the Sea Region: This helpful website answers questions about how you can best help victims of the Blue Cut fire, http://www.redcross.org/local/california/desert-to-the-sea/wildfire-response.
Animal Shelters: The Apple Valley Animal Shelter, Devore Animal Shelter or the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville are in need of donations. Please contact them directly to find out what they need the most.

LOUISIANA

American Red Cross: Accepting donations via telephone. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or text LAFLOODS to 90999 to donate $10.
United Way: There are three branches that are accepting donations in Louisiana.

Baton Rouge Area Foundation: The Baton Rouge Area Foundation is doing great work for those affected by the floods in Louisiana. The Foundation has dispatched staff members across the Baton Rouge region to determine where needs are the greatest. If you would like to donate to the fund, please visit their website at www.braf.org.
Companion Animal Alliance: Baton Rouge’s city animal shelter. They need foster homes to house pets temporarily, large bath towels, paper towels, water and food for volunteers and staff. Donations can be made online to assist with these needs by going to the organization’s website, www.CAABR.org.
Denham Springs Animal Shelter: This shelter was devastated by the floods. They are accepting donations via a GoFundMe account, which PetCo is matching dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000.
232-HELP: Accepting donations to help purchase emergency medications, medical equipment, appliances and transportation for flood victims in 10 parishes across Acadiana. Donations can be made online.
NOLA Pay it Forward: The Greater New Orleans Foundation is collecting donations to aid neighboring parishes in early relief and rebuilding efforts. Learn more here, https://www.gnof.org/nolapayitforward/.
Visit Nola.com to see more organizations that are accepting donations.