As the devastating wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles County, the performers’ union SAG-AFTRA has pledged $1 million to support union members affected by the disaster.
The donation will go to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, a nonprofit that provides emergency financial assistance and educational services to union members. In a statement, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said, “The destruction caused by these blazes, the loss of life and homes, has been gut-wrenching to experience, and of course, our hearts go out to all affected. But we knew we could do more; we hope this pledge helps relieve suffering and assists those impacted in putting their lives back together after this calamity.”
The fires, fueled by intense winds, have been ravaging parts of Los Angeles since Tuesday, burning tens of thousands of acres and severely damaging neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades and Altadena. At least 10,000 structures have been destroyed, displacing thousands of residents, including some of SAG-AFTRA’s high-profile members such as Mandy Moore, Paris Hilton, Jeff Bridges, and Milo Ventimiglia.
“The very essence of a labor union is solidarity: that we all work to elevate each other during times of stability, and we’re there for each other in times of crisis,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s national executive director. “The devastation is hard to fathom, even for those of us living in it. We’re so fortunate to have the SAG-AFTRA Foundation as a resource and a place our members can turn to in times of need.”
Crabtree-Ireland also urged members who have not been significantly impacted to volunteer, donate, or otherwise support those in need.
SAG-AFTRA, which represents over 160,000 members including actors, dancers, journalists, voice performers, puppeteers, and writers, has closed its Wilshire Blvd. offices as a precaution due to the ongoing fires.
SAG-AFTRA’s $1 million donation comes as part of a wider wave of relief efforts. On Friday, Disney announced a $15 million donation to organizations providing aid, including the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. The CAA Foundation has teamed up with Sean Penn’s CORE and the Los Angeles Unified School District Education Foundation to launch a fund, and local restaurants like Din Tai Fung, Jitlada, and Spago are also offering relief to those affected by the fires.