One year later, the generous contributions from Stand-Up for LA are continuing to improve the lives and futures of children and families impacted by the fires. Donations from the event provided urgently needed relief and aided in making the community more resilient during the rebuilding and recovery work. 

The trauma and destruction remains long after the flames are extinguished. We are proud that, together, we've provided lasting support long after the emergency fades from the headlines. As in every crisis, children in poverty face the greatest risk. Thankfully, Comic Relief donors understand the importance of offering both immediate support and lasting investment in the LA community’s recovery. 

The good work continues today. Here are some of the positive impacts of gifts from Stand-Up for LA:

Feeding America: In partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Feeding America provided critical disaster relief following the wildfires in Los Angeles County, which devastated over 46,000 acres. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and its partners (members of the Feeding America network) delivered direct food assistance to people impacted by the fires (including low-income families) at shelters, community centers, and food distribution sites throughout LA County - providing over 39 million pounds of ready-to-eat food, water, and personal care items.

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation: BLHF adapted its mental health work for wildfire recovery, offering 5-10 free therapy sessions for families and individuals from marginalized communities who were directly impacted by the Eaton fires. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Boys & Girls Clubs in fire-affected areas (including Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, Kenneth, and Sunset) provided essential resources to over 81,000 impacted members. Many homes, businesses, and schools had been destroyed, and local Clubs assisted displaced families through offering extended hours, childcare, meals, and ongoing trauma care.

‍Children's Health Fund: Children’s Health Fund supported 598 students suffering from emotional distress as a result of being displaced by the loss of Palisades Charter High School and Marquez Charter Elementary School. With Comic Relief funding, CHF hired a licensed social worker at each school’s temporary site to provide an art-therapy program for the impacted students throughout the school year. In addition, CHF held workshops for teachers and administrators, equipping them to identify trauma-related symptoms in kids and teens.

Covenant House: From the moment the Sunset fires broke out, Covenant House California stepped up to shelter and serve young people experiencing homelessness (ages 17-21). On-site staff worked around the clock to cover shifts, provide immediate crisis counseling, cook meals and provide for the needs of the 104 residents in their care, while preparing additional emergency beds for those in need. As part of Covenant Houses’ Street Outreach Program, some of the young residents who were employed as interns worked together with staff to distribute essential items to the surrounding community, including hygiene products, blankets, towels, linens, bottled water, sandwiches and prepared meals.

Helen Keller Intl: In communities impacted by the wildfires — especially Altadena, Pasadena, and Monrovia — many optometry offices were damaged or closed. As a result, many residents had trouble replacing lost or damaged glasses and ran into limits on their annual eye exams. With Comic Relief funding, Helen Keller Intl’s California Vision Program offered no-cost eye care to families affected by the fires – providing free exams, glasses, and specialist care.  

Echoing Green: With Comic Relief’s support, Echoing Green’s Community Care Fund supported 3 fellows impacted by the fires — including two who lost their homes and one displaced due to environmental toxicity. Both fellows who lost their homes are leaders whose work directly strengthens communities most affected by the fires. Sissy Trinh, a respected community leader in Altadena, leads a nonprofit serving the neighborhood’s Southeast Asian population. Brandon Smith runs the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, which prepares formerly incarcerated individuals for careers in fire prevention and forestry. When the fires disrupted their own lives, the Fund provided unrestricted resources so they could focus on recovery and continue their critical community leadership.

The Student Conservation Association: The Student Conservation Association recruited 45 young people from underrepresented communities to train at the US Forest Service Wildland Fire Academy, a unique school that’s addressing the growing wildfire crisis by teaching key fire suppression tactics and fuels reduction. At the academy, students learned how to map forests, thin out brush, and set up safe, controlled burns in national forests — all of which prevent fires from growing in intensity and spreading. Through the academy, students develop the skills and certifications needed to pursue careers in conservation and fire management, creating pathways to employment while strengthening climate resilience.

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services: With support from Comic Relief, Didi Hirsch provided immediate and ongoing mental health services to individuals affected by the Southern California wildfires, deploying mental health crisis care teams to disaster recovery centers. Counselors and clinicians served nearly 4,000 people impacted by the fires, including more than 1,000 survivors. Services included providing four to six free trauma-informed therapy sessions for children and adults, facilitating support groups for those affected by the fires, conducting outreach to firefighters on the frontlines, and offering support to disaster relief workers. Through these efforts, the Didi Hirsch team helped foster healing and ensure that those affected did not have to carry the trauma of the disaster alone.

It's never too late to step up for children and families facing hardship — join the generous community of Comic Relief donors and start your monthly gift today.