Burma Says Storm Killed 15,000 - washingtonpost.com

Burma Says Storm Killed 15,000 - washingtonpost.com: "Burma's government, which is traditionally wary of international aid workers, issued a rare appeal for outside help. The United Nations, the United States, Britain and the European Union all expressed willingness to assist, while India said Monday that it was already dispatching two naval ships with relief supplies."

Aid agencies begin difficult relief operation in Burma | World news | guardian.co.uk

Aid agencies begin difficult relief operation in Burma | World news | guardian.co.uk: "nternational aid workers are beginning the task of trying to get emergency supplies to the thousands of people stranded by cyclone Nargis in Burma, as charities describe the devastation as similar to the tsunami that struck Asia in 2004.

Teams of disaster specialists are on their way to the region. Save the Children already has 500 staff there but more are flying out as the scale of the situation emerges."

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Aid call as Burma casualties rise

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Aid call as Burma casualties rise: "International agencies are pushing to gain access for a massive aid operation in Burma, where the toll from Saturday's cyclone continues to rise.

Up to 15,000 people are said to have died in the disaster, and many more are missing, officials say.

Hundreds of thousands of people are said to be without clean water and shelter, with some areas still cut off.

Burma's leaders say they will accept external help, in a move correspondents say reflects the scale of the disaster."

Gulf Coast still needs volunteers

Gulf Coast still needs volunteers: "Gulf Coast still needs volunteers
Port Townsend and Jefferson County were well represented along the Gulf Coast for ongoing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts during the months of January and February.

While the major work of debris removal has mostly been completed in the region, the waiting line for affordable housing continues to grow faster than local relief organizations can build those new affordable homes, according to local volunteers."

KSDK NewsChannel 5 - DPS Director Thanks RIM for Rescheduling BlackBerry Updates

KSDK NewsChannel 5 - DPS Director Thanks RIM for Rescheduling BlackBerry Updates: "KSDK -- Director of Public Safety Mark James applauded the outstanding cooperation from Research In Motion (RIM) with Missouri's emergency response community. RIM postponed a scheduled 4 hour BlackBerry Database upgrade for all North American subscribers from early Saturday morning, until a future date."

FACTBOX-Tsunami donations around $12 billion | Environment | Reuters

FACTBOX-Tsunami donations around $12 billion | Environment | Reuters: "SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Government and multilateral agencies have pledged around $7 billion in aid for nations hit by the December 26 earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean, while global private donations amount to around $5 billion."

The Jakarta Post - Indonesia thanks world for post-tsunami aid

The Jakarta Post - Indonesia thanks world for post-tsunami aid: "Indonesia thanks world for post-tsunami aid

When the deadly tsunami devastated Aceh and Nias in 2004, the global response was unprecedented. Millions of people -- from children to senior citizens -- donated huge amounts of money and goods to tsunami victims."

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- Fire-alert technology discussed

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- Fire-alert technology discussed: "The October wildfires were fought with blood, sweat and technology. But technology – particularly notifying residents by phone that a fire is headed their way – isn't exactly perfect."

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- Relief funding needs mapped by foundation

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- Relief funding needs mapped by foundation: "From $5 checks to seven-figure corporate contributions, millions of dollars collected for wildfire relief will be spent in four key areas over the next two years: survivor needs, civic engagement, the environment and preparedness.

The San Diego Foundation has developed a road map to steer the spending of its huge charity fund, which tops $7 million in donations and pledges."

Charities' coffers swell to $23 million – and counting | The San Diego Union-Tribune

Charities' coffers swell to $23 million – and counting | The San Diego Union-Tribune: "Major nonprofits have collected more than $23 million for wildfire relief in what some are predicting will become the largest local charity drive ever. The American Red Cross has collected $17.3 million in contributions for Southern California wildfires, most of which it said will go to San Diego County. And millions more has been donated and pledged to The San Diego Foundation, the Salvation Army, the Jewish Community Foundation and others."

The NonProfit Times - California Fires Activate Response Lessons learned at Katrina helped

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "California Fires Activate Response Lessons learned at Katrina helped By Mark Hrywna and Marla E. Nobles

Around this time every year, the warm, dry winds known as the Santa Anas sweep down wide across the deserts of Southern California and across the Los Angeles Basin, bringing with them the constant threat of wildfires. But even longtime residents hadn't seen anything like the wildfires that began burning across Southern California on Oct. 20."

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- Charities' coffers swell to $23 million – and counting

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- Charities' coffers swell to $23 million – and counting: "Major nonprofits have collected more than $23 million for wildfire relief in what some are predicting will become the largest local charity drive ever.
The American Red Cross has collected $17.3 million in contributions for Southern California wildfires, most of which it said will go to San Diego County. And millions more has been donated and pledged to The San Diego Foundation, the Salvation Army, the Jewish Community Foundation and others.
Many nonprofits are still collecting money while they forge a long-range plan on how to best spend the contributions."

The California Endowment Commits $750,000 to Aid Vulnerable Communities Impacted by the Southern California Wildfires / California Endowment

The California Endowment Commits $750,000 to Aid Vulnerable Communities Impacted by the Southern California Wildfires / California Endowment: "he California Endowment Commits $750,000 to Aid Vulnerable Communities Impacted by the Southern California Wildfires Los Angeles (November 1, 2007) –

The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation, today announced its commitment of $750,000 to provide wildfire relief and aid to the often overlooked communities impacted by the recent wildfires.
“The Endowment wants to ensure that the regions’ poorest and most vulnerable residents have equal access to aid now and during the days and months to come,” said Robert K. Ross, M.D., president and CEO of The California Endowment."

Arts scene slowly returns to normal North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County News - NCTimes.com - Californian.com

Arts scene slowly returns to normal North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County News - NCTimes.com - Californian.com: "Arts scene slowly returns to normal By: PAM KRAGEN - Staff Writer Life may be returning to normal in San Diego County this week, but last week's wildfires were hard on the county's arts community. Road closures, evacuations and the unpredictability of the fires forced most theaters, galleries, museums and theme parks to shut their doors for at least one day last week, and poor air quality kept many county residents at home through the entire weekend. Most venues reported a moderate to sharp dip in ticket sales through the weekend."

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- Recovery fund targets Cal State Games participants

This link leads to other related material on the Wildfires
SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- Recovery fund targets Cal State Games participants: "Recovery fund targets Cal State Games participantsUNION-TRIBUNE October 31, 2007 The California State Games Wildfire Recovery Fund is accepting donations to help Cal State Games participants affected by the fires."

(Knox County) NAR Donates Half-Million to California Fire Relief - Real Estate - WaldoSoup

(Knox County) NAR Donates Half-Million to California Fire Relief - Real Estate - WaldoSoup: "KNOX COUNTY (Oct 29): The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is donating a half-million dollars to aid the victims of the disastrous fires that have swept California and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. REALTORS® have been early to respond to help victims of similar emergencies in the past, such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and victims of the South Asian tsunami in 2004."

Pet Lovers Raise Nearly $140,000 for California Wildfire Animal Relief

PRESS RELEASE

Pet Lovers Raise Nearly $140,000 for California Wildfire Animal Relief: "Pet Lovers Raise Nearly $140,000 for California Wildfire Animal Relief Through the PETCO Foundation's Emergency Round Up Fundraiser, pet lovers across the nation have donated nearly $140,000 to benefit the more than 19,000 animals affected by the California wildfires. San Diego, Calif. (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 30, 2007 -- Through the PETCO Foundation's Emergency Round Up Fundraiser, pet lovers across the nation have donated nearly $140,000 to benefit the more than 19,000 animals affected by the California wildfires."

Richard Walden: How Best To Help Victims of the California Wildfires: More of the Same or ??? - Politics on The Huffington Post

Richard Walden: How Best To Help Victims of the California Wildfires: More of the Same or ??? - Politics on The Huffington Post: "Once again, an intensive media-driven campaign is underway to fill the coffers of two of America's largest nonprofits--the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. The Los Angeles ABC TV station joined with the Red Cross for a second consecutive time (Hurricane Katrina was the first) in arranging 'drive-by drop-offs' of cash in the parking lots of major sports and entertainment venues. While it's too early to tell just how much money will be donated to these two groups, my guess is it will be well over $100 million and perhaps much more nationally."

Wildfires Force Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Postponement in San Diego | The Final Sprint (TFS) | The Internet’s Premier Running, Fitness, and Nut

Wildfires Force Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Postponement in San Diego | The Final Sprint (TFS) | The Internet’s Premier Running, Fitness, and Nutrition Publication: "Due to the wildfires in San Diego County, the Komen San Diego Race for the Cure which was scheduled for Sunday, November 4, has been postponed to Sunday, December 2, 2007."

PhilanTopic: Information on Southern California Fire Relief Funds

A listing of Resources via PhilanTopic.

PhilanTopic: Information on Southern California Fire Relief Funds: "Information on Southern California Fire Relief Funds The information below on special funds established to respond to the fires in Southern California was put together by the folks at San Diego Grantmakers and Southern California Grantmakers and forwarded by Northern California Grantmakers to Janet Camarena, the director of the Foundation Center's San Francisco office. Thanks to Janet for the head's up."