Americares "Giving Suites" Raise Awareness About Ongoing Need for Support in Los Angeles after Wildfires
Celebrities Assemble Emergency Kits and Go-Bags for Local Residents During Hollywood Awards Season
STAMFORD, Conn., March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Health-focused relief and development organization, Americares, rounded out Hollywood awards season this past weekend with a pre-Oscar's "Giving Suite." The organization partnered with GBK Brand Bar, a veteran Los Angeles-based events and gifting lounge company, to host the "Giving Suites" during the Grammy and Critics Choice Awards in early February, and was back again to bring much needed attention and efforts to the ongoing needs of those affected by the wildfires. Celebrity attendees, such as Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris, Jackie Tohn and many more, worked side-by-side with Americares volunteers at the events to assemble nearly 1,400 emergency kits and 1,000 go-bags for Los Angeles residents.
"While the wildfires are no longer ravaging the city, their long-term effects are becoming clearer. This is exactly when Americares work is most critical," says Provash Budden, Americares deputy senior vice president of emergency programs. "The physical damage is devastating and the lasting impact on the health of survivors is equally significant. We are committed to supporting communities through the recovery and ensuring that the health needs of those most affected are met every step of the way."
To date, Americares has distributed 7 tons of medicine and relief supplies, delivered more than 10,000 masks and allocated $260,000 in emergency funding. At the same time, Americares has provided $600,000 in emergency cash assistance to partner clinics in California for low-income wildfire survivors who have lost homes, jobs or transportation.
Americares received contributions and support from several volunteers and corporate partners, including Patagonia and FanDuel, who assisted in assembling the emergency kits. Additionally, product donations from Rest® were incorporated into the emergency kits assembled during the "Giving Suite" events.
"It has been inspiring to see how the entertainment industry has come together in their continued support of the neighborhoods devastated by the wildfires, and uplift an exceptional charity partner, Americares, as part of the recovery efforts this awards season," says Gavin Keilly, founder and CEO of GBK Brand Bar.
Americares responds to more than 35 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings preparedness programs to communities vulnerable to disasters. Americares will maintain the ongoing response to the Los Angeles wildfires to ensure access to health services for those who continue to be impacted.
Images are available upon request.
To learn more, please visit americares.org.
About Americares:
Americares is a health-focused relief and development organization that helps people and communities around the world access health in times of disaster and every day. Each year, Americares reaches 85 countries on average, including the United States, with life-changing health programs, medicine, medical supplies and emergency aid. Americares is one of the world's leading nonprofit providers of donated medicine and medical supplies. For more information, visit americares.org
About GBK Brand Bar
GBK Brand Bar is Hollywood's premier luxury lifestyle gifting and special events company. Known for their exclusive gifting lounges, GBK combines entertainment with philanthropy, making a lasting impact on global communities.
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SOURCE Americares Foundation, Inc.