LOS ANGELES, JANUARY 21, 2025 — Teddy Allen lost everything he owned in the Eaton Fire that has devastated communities in Altadena. He evacuated in only the clothes he was wearing. He had his cell phone but no charger. He knew the American Red Cross would help and made his way to a shelter as soon as he learned it opened. “The Red Cross just knew what I needed,” he said.

Teddy took advantage of services like disaster spiritual care from a Red Cross ‘chaplain’ who made daily morning visits. The support, he said, was provided with respect and compassion, helping him process what he was going through.

Now, the Red Cross is helping people like Teddy through relief in the form of cash. This ‘immediate assistance’ will help him meet basic needs, such as replacing hygiene products specific to his care or clothing items that are a good fit for his body like XXXL shirts, shoes and underwear.

Looking forward to starting his life over, he said, “The Red Cross has given me hope.” He’s even helped others – paying it forward by providing guidance and support when another man checked in to the shelter. He, too, lost everything and had specific needs that cash relief could support.

If you’ve been impacted by the wildfires in the Los Angeles area, the Red Cross is here to help you recover by providing direct financial assistance to Californians who lived within the fire perimeters of Eaton, Palisades, Hurst, and Kenneth, as defined by Cal OES.

Since the Red Cross began the program on January 15, it has placed more than $645,000 into the hands of individuals who have lost everything. The Red Cross has also provided more than 89,800 meals and snacks, fielded more than 860 reunification requests with 675 completed to date. There are currently 5 emergency shelters open with more than 570 people staying overnight and we have provided more than 9,450 overnight stays.  

If you receive an invitation to complete an application for financial assistance you can complete the entire process virtually by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) to enroll, confirm eligibility and receive financial assistance.

Please be aware of scams or people posing as Red Cross representatives. Eligible residents will receive an invitation via email, text and phone call based on the contact information the Red Cross has for you. If you’re unsure whether the Red Cross has reached out, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).

Receiving Red Cross financial assistance does not make you ineligible for FEMA assistance. The Red Cross is only part of the solution to recovery, and we encourage people who were affected by the recent wildfires to apply for federal Disaster Assistance at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. FEMA approval is not required to be eligible for Red Cross financial assistance.

The Red Cross remains committed to providing individuals affected by the devastating wildfires with safe shelter, access to food, basic health services, and emotional support.

All Red Cross services, including immediate financial assistance, are available to individuals regardless of nationality, race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. The Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency and people do not need to be American citizens to receive our help.

Red Cross financial assistance is not a loan and does not need to be repaid.  

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.