RIVERSIDE, November 18, 2008 – Several United Ways in Southern California, including United Way of the Inland Valleys, United Wayof Greater Los Angeles, Corona-Norco United Way and Orange County United Way along with other regional United Way organizations have set up the United Ways Southern California Fire Fund to help the victims of the recent devastating wildfires.

The fund will focus primarily on the aftermath to ensure community-wide healing. United Ways will convene volunteer committees of local community leaders to review applications from support agencies and develop strategies to address the long-term needs of the communities affected.

The Fund is focusing on losses in the regions covered by: United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Corona-Norco United Way, Orange County United Way and the United Way of Santa Barbara County .

Elise Buik, Chair of United Ways of California and CEO and president of United Way of Greater Los Angeles, states, “The resilient network of  United Way partners continues to strengthen communities and improve lives. We are dedicated to help rebuild the lives, homes and communities of people who have lost so much in this tragedy.  We invite you to work with us until every person impacted by the wildfires has a community to call home.”

Another crucial role United Way is playing in the response to the wildfires is to ensure the strength of 2-1-1, an easy-to-remember phone number that can be dialed for people who need services or for those who want to offer help.  With the Southern California wildfires, 2-1-1 has again demonstrated its powerful role.  Thousands of people in the region are getting connected with the services they need, such as finding temporary shelter.

Community partnerships will be critical to the long-term recovery efforts.  Within these efforts, the initial response to disasters is led by the American Red Cross while United Way takes the lead in long-term recovery.

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