How to help Victims of the Los Angeles Wildfires

Updated January 21, 2025 by Team CruisinCity

The wildfires that have broken out in Pacific Palisades and across Los Angeles have deeply affected us.

As a brand rooted in the California skate culture, we canโ€™t ignore the impact these fires have had on local communities, including skaters and small skate businesses.

While we may not be firefighters or first responders, we want to do what we can to helpโ€”at the very least by gathering initiatives that allow people to donate and support those in need. To ensure weโ€™re sharing legitimate ways to contribute, we reached out to Cindy Whitehead, legendary vert skater and founder of Girl Is Not a Four Letter Word, who quickly responded and helped us identify reliable initiatives.

In this post, weโ€™re listing ways to support both general relief efforts and members of the skate community affected by the disaster. Every bit of help countsโ€”letโ€™s stand together and make a difference.

Paliskates: A Pillar of the Pacific Palisades Skate Community

Paliskates, a beloved skate shop in Pacific Palisades, has been devastated by the recent wildfires.

Founded in 1999 by Erica Simpson, this female-run small business has been a staple of the local skate scene for 25 years. The fire has completely destroyed their store at 1021 N Swarthmore Ave, leaving them with nothing.

Despite this tragedy, the Paliskates team remains determined to rebuild, just like the rest of the community. To support their recovery, store manager Nora has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help them get back on their feet. Every contribution, big or small, can make a difference in restoring this iconic shop and keeping the local skate culture alive.

Support Paliskates!

Supporting Yesenia Ramirez: A Female Skater from Altadena, CA

Yesenia Ramirez, a female skater from Altadena, California, lost everything in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires on January 7th, 2025. She barely managed to escape with her dog, Nippet, and the ashes of her late father, leaving behind all of her belongings. Now, she faces the immense challenge of rebuilding her life from scratch, securing permanent housing, and replacing essential items.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Yesenia through this difficult time. As part of the skate community, she has always brought energy and passion to the sceneโ€”now, she needs our support.

Help Yesenia now!

Helping Katherine Beattie: A WCMX Athlete Rebuilding After the Altadena Fires

Katherine Beattie, a resident of Altadena, California, lost her home and all her belongings in the recent wildfires. She had to evacuate quickly, unable to retrieve any personal items. Katherine is a notable figure in the adaptive sports community, recognized as the first woman to land a backflip in a wheelchair.

A GoFundMe campaign has been organized to assist Katherine during this challenging period. The funds raised will help her navigate the coming months as she works to rebuild her life. Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference.

Help Katherine rebuild.

Beyond helping individual skaters and small businesses, you can also support organizations that provide aid to a wider range of wildfire victims. If youโ€™d like to contribute to broader relief efforts, here are some key organizations making a real difference:

California Community Foundation

L.A. Fire Department Foundation

Pasadena Humane Society

Ventura County Community Foundation

American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles

Center for Disaster Philanthropy

Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a real difference. Weโ€™ll keep you updated on more initiatives to support wildfire victims.

Stay tuned, and letโ€™s stand together for the community.