3 top picks for your LA wildfire recovery donations

In light of the 2025 LA wildfires, you've likely seen hundreds and hundreds of ways you can support. This can be extremely overwhelming, so the Soapbox team reached out to two native Angelenos, Jacqueline Emerson and Dana Kotcherlakota-Benton, to get their take on their three most high-impact organization recommendations.

For real-time updates, you can also check out Jacqueline’s Instagram stories, linked above, for up-to-date resources.

Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid (PUMA)

• Instagram: @palmsunhousedmutualaid‍
• Donation link: https://hcb.hackclub.com/donations/start/palms-unhoused-mutual-aid‍
• Why support: PUMA is a wonderful organization that spends around 4k a month on groceries, medical supplies, toiletries, tents, blankets, clothes, books, and other necessary items for unhoused people in Los Angeles. 
• Current context: In regards to the current emergency, hundreds of unhoused people have been displaced by the fires raging through Los Angeles – losing their property, connections with their communities, and access to the few services that they can rely on.  PUMA is supporting outreach – contacting those impacted and distributing masks, meals, clothing, blankets, and wound care. The fires will lead to an extremely difficult time for many unhoused folks, who will not have access to air purifiers, clean water, or the public facilities they may have had access to before, making the work this organization does even more important than ever. 

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Pasadena Humane Society

• Donation link: https://give.pasadenahumane.org/give/654134/#!/donation/checkout   
• Why support: Pasadena Humane Society is a community-supported animal resource center that has been providing life-saving programs for animals since 1903. Last year alone, they helped more than 47,000 animals through wildlife rehabilitations, adoptions, veterinary services, and more. 
• Current context: So far, they have rescued over FOUR HUNDRED ANIMALS from the Eaton Fire Emergency. They are desperately in need of donations to purchase medical supplies and other resources to treat the influx of injured and burned animals coming into the shelter at this time. “These animals are suffering from smoke inhalation, singed paws, burns, dehydration, and more. [They] have been treating each animal based on their needs, providing fluids, oxygen, pain medications and wound care as quickly as they can.” The impact on the diverse wildlife of LA, from bobcats, to coyotes, to bats, to owls, will be felt for months and years to come. Protecting and healing our animals also protects and heals the diverse ecosystems that are so integral to this beautiful city. 

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Clean Air Los Angeles

• Instagram: @cleanairlosangeles‍
• Donation link: @CleanAirLA via Venmo
• Why support: This is a relatively new organization working with Mask Bloc LA and Mask Together America to distribute N95s and respirators throughout the city.
• Current context: According to one post, between Jan 8 and 10 they distributed over 14k masks to communities in need. According to the EPA, the small particles being released into the atmosphere right now from the fires are some of the most health-damaging air pollution possible. These fine particles can carry toxic substances such as microplastics, asbestos, and more, deep into the body. Masks will be crucial to preventing long term health issues, especially to at-risk populations.

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‍Jacqueline Emerson and Dana Kotcherlakota-Benton (aspiring community archivist who does not yet have an online presence) are native Angelenos who are passionate about climate resilience, housing justice, labor rights, and anything that makes life better for the majority of people. They are devastated by these catastrophic wildfires and hope you can contribute to these amazing organizations now and in the future. Check out Jacqueline’s Instagram stories for up-to-date resources for victims and places you can contribute to. We love you, Los Angeles!