Hi, Sparklers! There’s no regular episode this week, but I wanted to take a moment to share how you can support relief efforts for the Los Angeles wildfires. Some of you know I live in Glendale, CA—thankfully, both my family and our home are okay. We evacuated early Wednesday morning and stayed with relatives in San Diego. It was scary to walk into the backyard to pack the car and see the sky pitch-black, with flames glowing on the horizon and palm trees whipped by hurricane-like winds—something I never could have imagined. Looking at the sky and the fire maps, it was clear this was going to be very, very bad.
If you’d like to help those who’ve been impacted, there are a few ways to lend your support. Let’s talk about where you can give and how you can make a difference.
Jewelers of America & Diamond Council of America Jewelers Relief Fund: Accepting donations to support jewelry retailers and manufacturers affected by the wildfires. Donations are tax-deductible and go directly to those businesses that have suffered damage. Donate here or apply for assistance if your jewelry business has been damaged: https://www.jewelers.org/news/ja-in-the-news/relief-fund-for-jewelers-affected-by-california-wildfires
Jaime Gellar Jewelry Jamie Gellar Jewelry lost its Pacific Palisades storefront to the fires, along with Jamie’s family home and one of her children’s schools. Her small but dedicated team packed up the safe and evacuated on Tuesday, expecting to return on Wednesday. Jamie has now set up a GoFundMe to support her business and employees—you can find the link in the show notes. https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-jaimie-geller-jewelry-and-her-employees
California Fire Foundation The California Fire Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. https://www.cafirefoundation.org/about/mission-and-history
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation The LAFD Foundation provides vital equipment and funds critical programs to help the LAFD save lives and protect communities. https://supportlafd.org/
Many jewelry brands are currently donating all or part of their profits to wildfire relief efforts. If you’re in the market for a new piece of jewelry, consider supporting a brand that’s also contributing to this important cause. I’ve lived in Los Angeles for almost nine years, originally moving here to pursue a career in the jewelry industry because it’s such a thriving hub for so many brands I admire. My business started here too. It’s heartbreaking to see our city—already struggling in many ways—face such an unimaginable disaster.
And my last thought today - I also want to remind everyone to be thoughtful with marketing during times of crisis, even if the disaster isn’t in your own backyard. Take a moment to consider what others may be experiencing before hitting “send” or posting something; empathy and sensitivity can make a meaningful difference. I know it’s not always easy to stay aware of the challenges people may be facing in our global economy, but it’s part of modern marketing to remain mindful and considerate.
Please be safe out there in the world.