Jewish Federation of Greater Portland fundraises for California wildfire victims

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — As the Los Angeles area is grappling with multiple massive wildfires that have so far destroyed 1,000 buildings and killed five people, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is stepping up to fundraise for the victims.

Members of the organization aren't just helping from afar either. The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland just happened to be gathered in LA for a conference on the same day the fires started.

A warning for the high wind, which later exacerbated the fires, was already in effect by the time Jewish Federation of Greater Portland President and CEO Marc Blattner touched down on Tuesday morning.

"You could feel the wind as we were landing the airplane," Blattner told KOIN 6 News. "It's by fluke my entire team of Jewish Federation happened to be in Los Angeles for a conference."

Blattner and his peers witnessed the destruction — and evacuees — firsthand, including when a century-old Jewish center in Pasadena burned down overnight.

"We want to be responsive and supportive as much as we can," Blattner said. "Look, we're just thinking about everybody, but we want people to be safe and secure and it's very difficult at this time."

A link to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland's fundraiser can be found here. One hundred percent of the proceeds go toward helping out not just the Jewish community, but the entire Los Angeles community.

Other Oregon non-profit organizations have vowed to support fire victims, if called upon, including Red Cross Cascades Region ready to deploy volunteers, the Oregon Humane Society ready to help shelter animals left behind and the Oregon Food Bank preparing food, water and supplies through Feeding America.