Dallas Businesses Organize Relief Drive for Displaced Victims of California Wildfires

From Staff Reports

Jimmy Watson, a Dallas businessman born and raised in Preston Hollow, is organizing a wildfire relief drive so North Texans can contribute to those displaced by the recent California blazes.

A series of ferocious wildfires, fueled by powerful winds and dry conditions, roared across the Los Angeles area in early January, killing at least 27 people, including some who died trying to prevent the fires from engulfing their homes, and destroying thousands of structures, according to NBC News.

Watson told CandysDirt.com that he has close friends and business colleagues who were directly affected by the wildfires and acknowledged that everyone he’s talked to has a connection and wanted to help. He thought, “You know what? I can do this. Let’s do this.”

Local Businesses to the Rescue

Watson, who earned his MBA at Southern Methodist University and is now the managing director for Clavis Capital Partners in Preston Hollow, turned to local businesses like HerStory Gallery, food blogger The Savvy Spoon, and Live, Love, Pop for support. 

“Those three girls had the tail end of the logistics figured out so we decided to cross-promote each other,” Watson said. “That creates different opportunities, different areas in the city for donations. There is a monumental amount of people who are helping lean into this and I think that’s the most important piece — the Dallas community really stepping up when asked.” 

Another friend at The Pillow Bar offered to make a large donation. Watson even called on his high school alma mater, the Jesuit Dallas College Preparatory School, which offered its parking lot as a drop site.

Watson and the team focused their efforts on supplying displaced Californians with the household essentials we often take for granted.

“Most people have found a place [to stay] now,” Watson said. “Let’s help them move in. People are focusing on the chaos, not their self-care. There’s always a need for baby and toddler products. You forget about tools and cleanup and laundry detergent. We’re going to try to get a hardware store to give us some of those college move-in toolkits, anything to help them move in so they can focus on their kids, finding a school, daycare, insurance claims, and the important things. We want to make the adaptation process a little smoother for them.” 

Where and What to Donate

What’s the goal? we asked Watson. 

“I’d love to fill the truck up,” he said of a 53-foot trailer provided by Stevens Transport Dallas. The transportation company also provided a driver who will head west as soon as the final donations are accepted on Saturday, Jan. 25.

Drop-off points for donations are open this week at:

• Nicholson-Hardie Nursery on Lovers Lane — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Thurs., Jan. 23
• Dondolo in the Design District — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Thurs., Jan. 23
• Jesuit College Prep Dove Field House — 8 a.m. to noon Sat., Jan. 25

Suggested donations include:

Backpacks, bottled water, lunch boxes, games, toys, scissors, batteries, thermometers, pain relievers, nail clippers, toothbrushes, hair ties, brushes, hair dryers, portable clocks, women’s hygiene items, sunscreen, candles, soap, tools/tool kits, sewing kits, paper, pens, children’s books, socks, underwear, shampoo, razors, shaving cream, and toilet paper.

Dozens of volunteers are working to coordinate the efforts so that the truck will be fully stocked with household necessities that are urgently needed in California. Clothing and other items will be taken to the Dream Center in Los Angeles for those affected by the wildfires in Palisades, Altadena, and Pasadena.

Donors should place items in plastic bags to keep items clean and organized.  

California Residents Do Their Part

Alex Rubinic, who moved to Los Angeles this summer, said many students at St. Elizabeth’s School in Altadena lost everything in the Eaton Fire and in response, a longtime friend has started a GoFundMe to help these students and their families.

“The greatest need for many of the residents now is the knowledge that things will go back to normal,” Rubinic said. “These are children and families that have lost everything. They’re looking for a sense of normalcy and ability to rebuild.”

Dallas native Carmen I. Perez, an independent writer and director now living in Culver City, said she cannot help but think of her Elm Thicket/Northpark neighborhood when reading about the Altadena neighborhood.

“Altadena and Elm Thicket are both generational neighborhoods fighting gentrification,” Perez said. “With the wildfires destroying Altadena, a historically working-class neighborhood, Black and Latino residents are fighting not just for their neighborhood but for their existence. Like Elm Thicket legacy residents, neighbors in Altadena need systemic changes so culturally vibrant neighborhoods are not pounced upon by vultures when natural disasters happen. Our neighborhoods and history matter and should not be lost.”

For updated information about the California wildfires, visit the CAL FIRE website.

Tell us about other local relief efforts by emailing [email protected].