Over $100 million has been raised on GoFundMe campaigns to help those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. The crowdfunding platform has been essential in aiding families, non-profit organizations, and struggling businesses in receiving funding for disaster relief.
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The funds will directly aid victims and organizations providing resources to affected communities. According to the New York Post, more than 100,000 residents have been displaced by the wildfires, which have destroyed over 10,000 properties and claimed 25 lives. One couple, John and Monica Stulman, lost their home of 17 years to the Eaton fire and created a GoFundMe campaign, raising $5,400 towards their $24,000 goal.
Pasadena resident Dale Short,91, lost his home of 60 years, and a GoFundMe campaign has garnered over $103,000. Amid the charitable donations, there have been scam pages where victims say their information has been used to create fake campaigns. However, GoFundMe has been working constantly to take down the scam pages to protect donors and victims.
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GoFundMe has launched a centralized hub for California wildfire relief, making it easy to find verified campaigns and start fundraisers for those in need. The platform has also started its own campaign, aiming to raise $5 million.