Wildfires have been causing massive destruction in Los Angeles since January 7, and Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation is chipping in to support those in need. The band’s philanthropic nonprofit organization has donated $500,000 to relief efforts, evenly split between a pair of local groups making a difference on the ground, the California Community Foundation (CCF) and the Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF).
CCF partners with community-based organizations and government agencies, prioritizing underserved communities by using data from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) and the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index. In response to the fires, CCF has activated its Wildfire Recovery Fund to complement immediate relief efforts with support for long-term recovery plans. The fund supports a wide range of services residents need in the wake of a disaster, including housing, medical care, mental health, case management, financial assistance, labor law education, immigration services, and rebuilding essential infrastructure such as emergency services. All Within My Hands is granting $250,000 to CCF.
PCF is a hyper-local agency, which has launched the Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund, which will support immediate needs while the fires remain an active threat. Once the flames have been extinguished, the fund will contribute to long-term recovery efforts as well. The other $250,000 from All Within My Hands is being directed to PCF.
In the past week, the fires in the Los Angeles area have led to at least 24 deaths, nearly 100,000 people under evacuation orders, 40,000 acres burned, and more than 12,000 commercial and residential structures destroyed. The flames are far from contained, and with the return of the Santa Ana winds forecasted for the coming days, conditions will be in place for further destruction in the area.
All four members of Metallica and their management created the All Within My Hands Foundation in 2017 with the goal of creating sustainable communities via workforce education, hunger relief, and other critical local services. The foundation has organized events like the Day of Service, the Month of Giving, and the Helping Hands Concert and Auction.
Visit MusiCares’ official website for more disaster relief information.
