After wildfires ravaged parts of Los Angeles this week, real estate agent Jenna Cooper began reaching out to friends for clothing and supplies to assist the LA wildfire victims.
Her appeal spread quickly through a network of powerful women, including Hollywood celebrities.
Positive Response From Hollywood Stars
Hollywood stars including Sharon Stone and Halle Berry responded, providing sweaters, shoes, clothing, handbags, belts, pajamas and more pulled from their own collections to the victims of LA wildfires.
“I’m packing up my entire closet,” Berry wrote on Instagram.
“If you live in the southern California area, I urge you to do the same. This is something we can do right now.”
Cooper, who also runs a home goods store called +COOP, cleared half the space to create a pop-up shopping experience for displaced people to take what they need.
Many Angelenos lost entire homes in the fires, which were still burning on Friday.
Call On Social Media
Stone circulated information about the donations on social media, which helped attract publicity.
She and her sister, Kelly Stone, contributed clothing, bedding and more, and Kelly volunteered to assist shoppers.
“The first thing they need when they come in the store is a hug,” Kelly Stone said.
She then said to shoppers, “Show me pictures of yourself, how do you dress?” so she could direct them to sweaters or trench coats that reflected their style.
Greeting From A Therapy Dog
At the store on Friday, a therapy dog named Jackie Robinson greeted people at the door.
Inside, they looked through racks of dresses and coats, stacks of denim, shelves of shoes and baskets of handbags.
A Wide Range Of Offerings
Offerings ranged from packages of fresh underwear from Target to new or lightly used Zara dresses and some Gucci and Ferragamo shoes in the mix.
An Overwhelming Response From Diverse Sectors
Cooper said she received donations and volunteer support from power players across Los Angeles, including actors, executives, lawyers, restaurant owners and mothers.
Her network of real estate agents in New York was sending gift cards, she said.
One Hollywood stylist came with two large bags of items from her closet and was enlisted to help organize the store for shoppers over the weekend.
“I know people who have lost everything, and even people I don’t know I’m devastated for,” said Lisa Cera, who has worked for celebrities including the Kardashians and Lenny Kravitz.
“I decided I’m just going to bring whatever I can,” Lisa said.
Kin Of Victims Appreciate Help From Volunteers
Ellen Bennett was choosing items for her 72-year-old mother, who lost her home in the Eaton fire on the east side of Los Angeles.
Bennett said she selected “the basics,” including socks, sweaters, pants, a jacket and a pair of running shoes.
“She left her house with her dog and a bag and just a few things. She thought she would come back,” Bennett said of her mother.
She added, “It’s so special and beautiful that in this time of tragedy, people are rising up and helping each other.”
Store owner Cooper said she helped a man find a pair of sneakers so he could run on the beach, something he had not done since the fires erupted.
She said she was overwhelmed by the response to her idea to help.
“This is a city of love, and everybody wants to support each other,” Cooper said.
(With inputs from Reuters)
