By Tracey Thompson Busa, Rotary Club of Marina del Rey, California, USA —
The most destructive fire in Los Angeles, California, USA’s history broke out on 7 January in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Eaton. The Marina del Rey Rotary Club, just eight months old, was determined to do whatever we could to help the victims. In just two days, we recognized the immediate need and sprang into action by creating a task force called the “Heart of Harbor” powered by our club, organizing one of the largest donation drives on the Westside.
We let people know by word of mouth and social media, collaborating with the Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club. More than 1,000 people dropped off donations for the fire victims, firefighters, and first responders. The community answered the call for volunteers, as 200 people stepped forward to help, operating trucks, vans, and cars to pick up and drop off supplies all over Los Angeles. Other volunteers made 1,000 sandwiches to feed the helpers.
Within four days, we had set up a pop-up distribution center at Fisherman’s Village, which offered free supplies to anyone in need, including toiletries, clothing, nonperishable food, gift certificates, and monetary donations. Truckloads of donations came from all over the city from individuals, local organizations, and corporate sponsors. Our club formed partnerships with city and county officials, The Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley, local and national businesses, and other Rotary clubs to respond to ever-changing needs.
For these efforts, our club was featured on five segments of Good Day LA, a morning news show, and singled out for recognition by county officials.
Under the leadership of president Kurtis Sundblom and our board of directors, our 32 members have continued to connect people with ongoing need of housing, furniture, household items, and all the basics for starting anew. On weekends, our members drive truckloads of supplies to police, firefighters, and the National Guard working in the burn areas up the coast. We have served over 2,000 meals to first responders and used 45 trucks and 250 volunteers to deliver more than 500,000 pounds of supplies and 80,000 pounds of water.
By providing aid and collaborating with our local community, we have forged a strong and positive Rotary presence as the “Heart of the Harbor.” We recognized early on the importance of identifying the talents of our members and tapping into their strengths to pull off an ongoing event of this magnitude. By giving everyone a voice and a common purpose to help in whatever capacity they can, we empowered our members. As word spread, so has interest in our club. We are delighted to have a waiting list for people who want to join.
We are grateful for the support and collaboration of the members of our community, it’s leaders, Rotary District 5280, and our corporate neighbors.
https://blog.rotary.org/2025/04/03/new-club-helps-big-in-aftermath-of-fire/