How to Help Victims of Sand Fire

As the Sand Fire continues to burn in the Santa Clarita Valley, community members in the surrounding areas are reaching out in support for the residents of the more than 10,000 homes that have been forced to evacuate as well as the firefighters and first responders.

From food to donations, there are a number of ways to help the displaced residents and firefighters. Here’s how you can help:

• Donate through the American Red Cross Los Angeles region
• From 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, July 25, the Associated Student Body of Valencia High School is taking donations of supplies for firefighters. Gatorade, water, and snacks including protein bars, beef jerky or granola bars are welcome. VHS is located at 27801 Dickason Dr., Santa Clarita, CA. 91355
• From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Associated Student Body of Saugus High School is taking donations of supplies for firefighters. Gatorade, water, and snacks including protein bars, beef jerky or granola bars are needed. Saugus HS is located at 21900 Centurion Way, Santa Clarita, CA. 91350
• Donations of water, Gatorade, protein bars, Chapstick, eye drops and any other items useful for the firefighters and police in the evacuation zone can be made the Golden Valley High School command center. Golden Valley High School is located at 27051 Robert C. Lee Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA. 91350
• Donations of nonperishable food, paper goods and drinks are needed at Hart High School, where the American Red Cross is manning an evacuation center. Hart High School is located at 24825 Newhall Ave., Santa Clarita, CA. 91321
• Donations of baby wipes, sunscreen, dog/cat/bird food, bottled water, gatorade, beef jerky protein bars, granola bars and gift cards are needed at Cedarcreek Elementary School, 27792 Camp Plenty Rd., Canyon Country. For more information, call 661-309-3727.
• Donations of animal food, specifically apples and carrots for horses, are needed at Hansem Dam Stables at 11127 Orcas Ave in Sylmar, CA. 91342.
• From Wednesday, July 27 until Friday, July 29 between 4 to 7 p.m., the Movement Mortgage of Valencia will be collecting donations for the families affected by the fire. They are accepting water, Gatorade, paper goods and non-perishable foods. Donations can be made at Heritage Park at 24155 Newhall Ranch Rd., Valencia, CA. 91355. 
• Monetary donations for the families of firefighters who lost their own homes to the Sand Fire are being accepted at this YouCaring crowd-sharing fund link. Personal friends and family of the firefighters started the online fundraiser. More than $7,000 was raised as of Monday afternoon.
• A woman named Jan Sanborn and her husband lost their home to the Sand Fire. Sanborn, an accomplished composer, had only recently retired from her position at California State University Northridge. The couple's GoFundMe link can be found here. Jan is her husband's primary caregiver as he suffers from Alzheimer's disease.
• Habitat for Humanity is offering a range of services for those affected by the Sand Fire. Monetary donations for rebuilding materials are being accepted at www.HumanityCA.org. Donations of building materials, furniture, and other household items in large quantities can be made by contacting Sylvia Bardelli at 818-341-9928. Low-income families whose homes have been affected by fire, smoke or water damage are invited to contact the organization at 818-884-8808. Lastly, volunteers are needed once rebuilding begins on the houses destroyed in the fire. To find out more about volunteering, visit Habitat for Humanity's website.