ORANGE COUNTY, CA — For restaurateur Wil Dee, raising funds for charity has become common over the years, but Wednesday’s event for the victims of the Los Angeles fires feels more personal.
Dee was one of the owners of a Haven restaurant in Pasadena a decade ago.
“When I opened up Haven in Pasadena back in 2011 I used to go on hikes and walks and bike rides in Altadena, in that entire area,” Dee told City News Service. “That entire area was a home to me. I rented an apartment up in that area and that was right down the street where I spent years of my life running a restaurant.
“I still have friends up there. I have a friend who lost a house in Pacific Palisades. This is the least I could do.”
Since Dee helped open Haven Craft 16 years it has become common to organize fundraisers for the victims of a variety of disasters, he said.
“Our loyal customers and people who patronize our place look at us as a valid and reliable source to make contributions and knowing it will go to the right place,” Dee said. “People said it’s simple, they’re literally doing what they would normally do — eat and drink at Haven.”
Dee pointed out that with new technology it might be easier to send donations, but there’s still the risk of falling for a scam, but his customers know their trusted business will get the money where it is needed.
“We’re a reliable community partner, so we’re still that place that if I don’t trust this I can still trust Haven,” he said.
On Thursday, Dee said his companies in Orange — Haven, Provisions and Chapman Crafted Beer — will hand over all the profits to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and the American Red Cross.
Dee added that his businesses are also looking at ways for customers to add more to their check if they wish.
“I don’t want to put a cap on it, I want to give as much as I can,” Dee said. “It saddens me to see the devastation.”
Wahoo’s Fish Taco co-founder Wing Lam told City News Service he has been working behind the scenes helping to organize relief efforts for victims and first responders. Based on his years of experience with fundraisers he has been getting calls to help coordinate the efforts, he said.
“I know the protocol, all the boxes that have to be checked,” Lam said.
Cutting through bureaucracy can be cumbersome and provide some unexpected obstacles, he said. There’s no shortage of volunteers and donations right now, but the goodwill needs navigation, he said.
Once the “novelty” wears off, Lam said it’s important the help continues.
“I’m friends with all the chefs and I intend to show them, by the way, this is great, but it’s something we should be doing all the time — because we can,” Lam said. “We can get a lot of donations, but now we’re all working together.”
Lam said the disasters have hit home for him.
“I have a lot of friends who lost their homes,” he said. “All of my roommates from college are from Pacific Palisades.”
Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairwoman Katrina Foley said nearly 200 local restaurants on Tuesday night were participating in a fundraiser to hand over 20% of profits to the Los Angeles Food Bank. Of those, about 110 are in her district, she added.
“It’s great for the restaurants too with more people going on a Tuesday night than might otherwise go,” Foley said. “And they’re helping to donate 20% to the LA Food Bank, so those people who lost everything can have access to resources and food.”
Foley was also working with IKEA in Costa Mesa and the Dana Point Harbor Partners to collect donations of necessities for fire victims.
Donations can be dropped off at IKEA at 1475 S. Coast Drive from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the Dana Point Harbor at 34515 Golden Lantern from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays.
At IKEA, donations of clothes, N95 masks and diapers are being collected. At the Dana Point Harbor, donations of non-perishable food, books, hygiene, clothing, N95 masks, sheets and blankets and diapers are all welcome.
“We’re pushing for more diapers,” Foley said of one of the most critical needs.
“The county is really stepping up to provide support,” Foley said. “Not just in public safety, which is tremendous, but the community at-large is donating money and supplies, which has been really epic, a sign that here in California we all support each other.”
Many people who work in Orange County live in Los Angeles County and there are many other connections with family and friends, Foley noted.
Fullerton police officers and firefighters are partnering with North Valley Caring Services with a drive-through event from 8 a.m. to noon Friday at the Hunt Branch Library, 201 S. Basque Ave.
Organizers are seeking new and unused necessities such as diapers, blankets, leggings, baby wipes, sweatshirts, hygiene products and underwear.