All Hands On Deck: Local Businesses Respond to Fire Evacuees and First Responders

As Santa Barbara and Montecito export aid and comfort to the firestorm-stricken areas around L.A., we’re reminded once again that people are people (to quote a beloved local), and the impulse to jump in and help is as reflexively human as it gets.

Richie’s Montecito & Adam’s Angels First Responders Donation Drop Off

Richie shares, “We are proud to partner with Adam’s Angels to support those in need during this challenging time. Together, we’re stepping up to provide emergency aid for individuals and families displaced by recent events, as well as the firefighters bravely battling to keep Los Angeles communities safe. Let’s come together as a community and make a difference!”

We’re accepting donations of: Bottled water, Gatorade, Red Bull, Nuts, Dried Fruits, Disposable razors, Chapstick, Eye Drops, Protein Bars, Blankets, Beef Jerky.

411: Drop off at Richie’s Barbershop, 1187 Coast Village Road. #d6

Lucky’s in Malibu

Lucky’s on Coast Village Road went to the Critical Command center for firefighters at Malibu’s Zuma Beach – the main camp for firefighters from all over the state and country – and worked their Lucky’s magic. “We cooked for over 600 firefighters,” says Larry Nobles, Director of Operations at Lucky’s. “It was myself and Lucky’s Malibu Executive Chef Marco Bello, Lucky’s Montecito Executive Chef Rene Gonzalez, and three other guys. We are hoping to be able to cook again this week for the community and for the firefighters in front of Lucky’s Malibu, and to be a place where the community can gather.” Okay … how?!

“It was an idea that Gene Montesano had late Wednesday night that we turned into action Wednesday morning,” Nobles says. “We cleared out the food at our closed Malibu location and brought it to the camp. Tons of logistics, health inspections on our food – and then we got in. No news team, no media, just us and firefighters.”

Sound Bath at the Y

On Friday, January 17, from 6-7 pm, the Montecito YMCA will be hosting a free sound bath for fire evacuees to relax and recharge. Let soothing sounds help reduce stress and promote healing during this challenging time. Sign in at 5:45 pm.

For more info: (805) 969-4871; mo.info@ciymca.org

Folded Hills Coast Village Road – Donations for Evacuees

This week Kim and Andy Busch, owners of Folded Hills on CVR, organized a drop-off for donations of the most needed items to the Dream Center Los Angeles and pet supplies to the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society. 

C.A.R.E.4Paws Takes In L.A. Fire Pets

Isabelle Gullö, Co-Founder and Executive Director of C.A.R.E.4Paws announced they are partnering with Cold Noses Warm Hearts, Meade Canine Rescue, ASAP Cats, and Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society to urgently assist in animal rescue efforts during the Los Angeles fires. Together, these organizations are working to transfer cats and dogs from three Los Angeles shelters, with the potential to expand their efforts even further.

Pets will be transported using C.A.R.E.4Paws’ mobile vet clinics, the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society’s van, and Diaz Paws Transportation. The rescued animals will be adopted out through the collaborating organizations, ensuring they find loving homes.

Currently, 15 cats from Baldwin Park Shelter are being transported to ASAP Cats in Santa Barbara. C.A.R.E.4Paws is deeply grateful for the outpouring of community support and the foster applications we are receiving. Together, we can make a difference for these animals in need.

411: https://care4paws.org

Bonding Sessions for Fostered Dogs

Local dog whisperer Jaclyn Sicilia (who will be featured next week in the MJ) is offering at least one bonding and connecting session to each family or person who fosters or adopts a dog from any of the animal shelters in L.A. that have taken in dogs during the fires. Understandably, fostered or adopted dogs may be shaken up from the events and struggling to connect with their new surroundings. She adds, “These sessions help people understand their pooches better and how they can better meet their needs, which, by meeting the needs of our pooches, helps us to better connect with them and strengthens our bonds with them.” Each session lasts between an hour-and-a-half and three hours with the first session 100% discounted and any subsequent sessions at a discounted rate.

411: Instagram: @palmtrees_n_pooches; Email: jcsicilia923@gmail.com

Human-Canine Partners Doing Heartbreaking, Necessary Work 

Denise Sanders, Senior Director of Communications & Search Team Operations, confirms the Search Dog Foundation’s immaculately trained teams are working the ravaged neighborhoods down south. “We currently have five SDF-trained canine search teams deployed for the Los Angeles fires,” Sanders says. These human-canine teams are doing extremely difficult work in the immediate wake of a heartbreaking human cataclysm. 

SDF-trained human remains detection (HRD) team Jon Munguia &CliffordofLos Angeles County Fire Department – and live-find SDF-trained teams Josh Davis & Bosco and Garreth Miller & Reva of California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3), and Patrick Easton &Linus and Eric Lieuwen &Ridge of California Task Force 7 (CA-TF7) – have deployed to the Los Angeles fires along with their SDF teammates to assist in the aftermath of the blazes that have devastated the region in recent days.

A First Responder from the MJ Ranks

Montecito Journal’s Renaissance Woman, Office Manager, and Front Desk Polymath – the unflappable Kassidy Craner – informs us that her father, Battalion Chief Richard Ames of Santa Barbara City Station #1, has been doing battle down south since the ferocious conflagration roared to life. He and 22 brave crew members gathered from around the state are firefighting in truly hellish conditions – with no real end in sight at this writing. “The job is open-ended until further notice,” Kassidy says. “…but I will keep you updated…”