As we head into Thanksgiving ready to reflect on all we have to be grateful for, I’ve put together a guide to help you give back to those who are not so fortunate in the local San Diego community. In light of the recent fires in California, I’ve also included ways you can help victims of the Camp, Woolsey, and Hill fires. In the coming weeks, I hope you’ll donate or plan some time to give back to others in San Diego and beyond.
Giving Back to Victims of the Camp, Woolsey, and Hill Fires
North Valley Community Foundation Evacuation Relief Fund
This fund is to support the operations of organizations that are sheltering evacuees from the Camp Fire.
United Way of Northern California
Those who lost their homes in the Camp Fire can get emergency cash assistance from the United Way of Northern California to help replace urgent basic necessities.
Ventura County Community Foundation
The Ventura County Community Foundation has set up a fund to collect donations to cover urgent needs for the victims of the Hill and Woolsey Fires.
Humane Society of Ventura County
The Humane Society of Ventura County needs donations to continue to house and feed the evacuated animals it has taken in from the fires.
Giving Back in North County San Diego
Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito
The Boys and Girls Clubs of San Diego serve more than 24,000 San Diego kids annually. They help inspire disadvantaged kids to achieve academic success, make healthy choices, and grow up to become responsible adults.
Casa de Amparo
Since 1978, Casa de Amparo has been working to treat and prevent child abuse in San Diego County. They work with foster children as they age out of the system and help facilitate their transition into adulthood.
Helen Woodward Animal Center
HWAC is very active in finding homes for displaced animals due to fires.
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, HWAC has been operating its no-kill facility for 40 years. They place adoptable dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens in homes and also operation a therapeutic riding school and various animal education programs.
Solutions for Change
The mission of Solutions for Change is to help end homelessness through programs that permanently transform lives and communities.
Giving Back in the City of San Diego
ElderHelp
ElderHelp is a non-profit that works to help seniors remain independent and stay in their own homes through its unique services.
Father Joe’s Villages
Father Joe’s Villages is San Diego’s largest homeless services provider. They prepare up to 3,000 meals and provide care for almost 1,800 individuals in San Diego each day. They help babies, children, adults, veterans, and seniors.
Make-a-Wish San Diego
Make the holidays a little brighter for children with critical illnesses by helping a child’s wish come true!
Meals on Wheels San Diego
This is a great service that provides meals to seniors in need across San Diego.
San Diego Humane Society
The San Diego Humane Society is one of the largest non-profit animal welfare organizations in the region. They care for up to 50,000 animals over the course of a year. They are a no-kill shelter and also help injured and orphaned wild animals with the goal to return them to the wild.
United Way of San Diego County
The United Way of San Diego is working to help San Diego families and children grow stronger together.
