Fundraiser for Non-Profit Celebration Nation Warehouse Space to Support LA Fire Relief Efforts and California's Farmworkers
My name is Flor Martinez Zaragoza, I am the founder of the non-profit, The Celebration Nation Foundation, a California human services organization centered on serving the Indigenous - Latino community through nutrition, education, emergency relief and direct resources.
As wildfires continue to devastate communities across Los Angeles and surrounding areas, the need for long-term support for affected families has never been more urgent. Celebration Nation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is committed to providing immediate and ongoing aid to fire victims, with a special focus on the Latino and Indigenous communities who have been disproportionately affected.
Our January 2025 Los Angeles fire relief efforts began on the very first day of the fires, as we immediately mobilized to provide assistance to those impacted by the devastation, including farm workers affected by fire smoke. We are dedicated to not only providing emergency relief but also supporting the community in a sustainable, long-term manner.
Celebration Nation’s history is rooted in a similar crisis and is in fact what created the organization: in 2020, we became first responders to farmworkers who were directly impacted by the California wildfires. We provided them with essential tools, supplies, and aid during a time of tremendous hardship. That experience solidified our commitment to supporting vulnerable communities during natural disasters, and it is this deep-rooted dedication that drives our ongoing work in Los Angeles today.
To enhance our ability to serve those affected by the recent fires, we are proposing the establishment of a centralized Donation Center. This warehouse space will serve as a hub for receiving and distributing vital resources such as food, clothing, hygiene items, and household essentials to fire victims in Los Angeles and farm workers in surrounding areas, especially those in the Latino and Indigenous communities. It will also provide a centralized location for our partners to contribute, further amplifying our collective response.
This fundraiser is created to purchase/lease a warehouse in Los Angeles.
Why We Need a Warehouse:
The need for a warehouse has become critical for our ongoing efforts. At Celebration Nation and partners, we already maintain a directory of families in need, ensuring that our assistance is efficient and targeted. However, the scale of the disaster and the growing volume of donations have exposed the limitations of our current operations. Without adequate space, we’ve had to turn down bulk donations, which is something we never want to do. This warehouse will allow us to accept and distribute these vital donations, ensuring we can serve our community without turning anyone away.
Additionally, the fires have left many people in Los Angeles unemployed, with domestic workers being among the hardest hit. By establishing this warehouse, we will be able to employ local residents, providing job opportunities during this difficult time, especially for those who have lost work due to the fires.
Key Benefits of the Warehouse:
1. Centralized Distribution Efforts:
- The warehouse will become the central hub for receiving, organizing, and distributing donations.
- Families will be able to pick up donations through our on-site distribution events.
2. Resource Hub for the Community:
- The center will serve as a location to organize and distribute resources from partners, strengthening our network and broadening the range of services available to those in need.
- By collaborating with trusted local and national organizations, we can ensure that our community receives comprehensive, timely, and well-coordinated support.
3. Stocking Emergency Supplies:
- Additional funds raised will also be used to purchase essential emergency supplies, including food, clothing, hygiene kits, bedding, baby supplies, and more.
- A well-stocked warehouse ensures we can respond swiftly to the evolving needs of fire victims and future emergencies.
4. Prioritizing Underserved Communities:
- While we will serve all fire victims in Los Angeles, our focus will be on the Latino and Indigenous communities, who face unique challenges in terms of language barriers, cultural differences, and limited access to resources. We will also be serving farm workers by being able to have supplies ready when needed to transport to farm worker cities.
- The center will offer culturally appropriate services, building trust and ensuring that the needs of these communities are met with respect and dignity.
5. Employment Opportunities:
- The establishment of the warehouse will provide employment opportunities to individuals impacted by the fires, particularly domestic workers who have lost their jobs.
- This initiative will help revitalize the local economy by providing stable employment while also directly addressing the immediate needs of fire victims.
Space Requirements:
To effectively carry out our mission, the warehouse must include:
- 4,500-10,000 square feet of space for storage and operations.
- High ceilings to accommodate bulk storage and shelving systems.
- A private office for administrative work and families consultations.
- Restroom facilities for staff, volunteers, and families.
- A private parking lot to facilitate drive-through food distributions and community events.
- Preferred location: San Fernando Valley for proximity to our volunteers and ease of access for the families we serve.
Impact of the Emergency Donation Center and Resource Hub:
1. Direct Assistance to Families:
- Fire victims will have a reliable, centralized location to access the resources they need.
- Our existing directory ensures that aid is targeted and delivered efficiently.
2. Community Resource Hub:
- The warehouse will collect and distribute resources from our trusted partners, strengthening the network of support available to families.
- Families will benefit from a wide array of services, including food, clothing, counseling, and referrals for additional help.
3. Emergency Preparedness:
- The warehouse will stock emergency supplies to ensure that we are prepared for future disasters and can respond quickly when needed.
4. Empowering Underserved Communities:
- By focusing on Latino and Indigenous communities, the center will address critical disparities in disaster recovery efforts.
- We will provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services, fostering trust and promoting long-term recovery.
Call to Action:
We are seeking donors, sponsors, and community partners to help us secure this vital warehouse space, fund its operations, and purchase the necessary emergency supplies to support our mission. Your contributions will enable us to:
- Lease the warehouse space.
- Equip the facility with shelving, refrigeration units, and other necessary infrastructure.
- Sustain day-to-day operations, including staff and volunteer coordination.
- Stock essential supplies to aid fire victims in real-time.
With your support, we can create a sustainable, long-term solution that not only addresses the immediate needs of fire victims but also helps strengthen the resilience of the communities we serve. The road to recovery for LA is long, and we plan on being there all the way. With your support, we can continue to serve affected families in Los Angeles, while also better serving California's farmworkers.
Join Us in Making This Vision a Reality.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to transform lives and strengthen our community. Together, we can provide hope, dignity, and recovery for fire victims and underserved communities.
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