Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have started a large-scale relief effort in response to the terrible wildfires in Los Angeles County. Personal help is combined with support from the Archewell Foundation in this project. About 90 miles away from the affected areas, the couple lives in Montecito. They have opened their home to family and friends who had to leave.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were seen at the Pasadena Convention Center on Thursday. The center has been turned into an escape site. They worked with chef José Andrés’s World Central Kitchen to get food to people who had to leave their homes because of the fires. Mayor Victor Gordo of Pasadena praised their work and pointed out that the couple had served food at the Rose Bowl relief center while wearing masks and remaining anonymous.
“It’s great people, great personalities, and great heart for them to come out here and meet with first responders and the affected residents,” Gordo said on Fox 11. “They want to help out as much as they can.” In the burned-out areas of Pasadena and Altadena, we saw some families. They went out of their way to meet and spend time with the touched people.
As someone who grew up in Canoga Park, close to the area affected by the Kenneth Fire, the Duchess feels a connection to the crisis. The couple has created a support system through their Archewell Foundation that helps with short-term relief and long-term healing. In addition to coordinating donations of school supplies, clothes, and other items for kids, the foundation constantly seeks volunteers to provide mental health support.
Since the wildfires started on January 7, more than 100,000 people have had to leave their homes. The Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu areas and the Eaton Fire in Pasadena and Altadena have burned over 20,000 and 14,000 acres, respectively, with little control. According to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, more than 9,000 buildings have been burned so far, but the number of deaths is still unknown.
As part of their response, the Sussexes are working with several relief groups. A resource guide put out by their foundation on sussex.com directs support to several groups, including CAL FIRE, the LA Fire Department Foundation, and the Animal Wellness Foundation, among others. They are already connected with World Central Kitchen because the latter has helped with disaster relief in places like India and Dominica.
Their many-faceted efforts show this couple’s dedication to helping those affected by the wildfires. They also call attention to the urgent need for community support during times of crisis.