Sussexes statement about Californian wildfires

[PrettyFlyforaMaiTai]

Meghan and Harry have released a statement in regards to the California wildfire via their Sussex.com website.

It reads:

”In the last few days, wildfires in Southern California have raged through neighborhoods and devastated families, homes, schools, medical care centers, and so much more – affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life.
A state of emergency has been issued.
If you feel compelled to help, here are some resources and ideas:
Support
Organizations such as José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, which has been a longtime partner of The Archewell Foundation, are serving meals to both first responders and victims of the fire.
CAL FIRE and LA Fire Department Foundation and others are working closely to support firefighters who risk their lives, bravely showing up in these high-risk environments to help save homes, families, and communities in need.
Animal Wellness Foundation is continuing to house and care for animals evacuated by the fires while Compton Cowboys is providing emergency transportation services for horses.
Airbnb and 211LA have partnered to provide free, temporary housing for those who have been displaced.

Baby2baby is providing essential supplies including diapers, clothing, hygiene products, and emergency kits to families in need.
All Power Books and many others are staying open for emergency use, offering supplies and water for pickup while working tirelessly to distribute essentials to those affected.

Open your home
If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do. And be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbors to see if they need help evacuating.
Give back
Some families and people have been left with nothing. Please consider donating clothing, children’s toys & clothing, and other essentials. The American Red Cross is on the ground helping those in need.”

It's not the fault of a few posters on MN that H&M are relatively unpopular in the US and UK.

The vast majority couldn't care either way though

Well done them - they have flagged up sources of help and people who follow their sites will now have that info. Good on 'em!

Not really.

Lots of people are commenting now, those directly affected and those who simply wish to show support. The main list of a handful of key organisations to help has been widely shared and that is a good thing.

Most of the statements have been simple and effective

Attacking the poster works both ways and plenty of posters who regularly criticise H & M while defending the RF do it regularly on this board.

And, the point is, I don’t have anything profound to comment about their statement, further to my previous comment about them
being damned if they do, and damned if they don’t, because it seems like an entirely normal, sensible, statement to make in the circumstances.

That’s was my entire point.

Some posters leap on the statement as yet another opportunity to bash H & M again, when really there’s simply nothing unusual or untoward to comment about!

It’s a perfectly good informative statement.

Happy now?

I'm a mild-mannered republican, thanks.

Anyway. If anyone wants to donate-All Power Books take Venmo. Animal Wellness Foundation takes PayPal. Compton Cowboys looks to be a fascinating organization, but I can't at first glance see an easy donation route. Baby2Baby take cards. World Central Kitchen takes ApplePay.

Aren’t they royal?

I can't say that I like either of them, but in this instance I do think that it's a case of 'damned if they do, damned if they don't'. If they had said nothing they would have been criticised.

That said, I find the wording a tad pompous, but nothing hugely bad. Probably par for their course.

It’s the faux importance in the statement that grates so much. They could have posted an informal, “hey everyone, we just wanted to share important phone numbers etc.” But no, they put out a very formal notice from their “office” which is just cringey.

Who knows.

They agreed in early 2020 not to use the 'HRH' styles/titles any more, and Meghan definitely doesn't.

I think she's had it taken away at least pro tem, personally. I suspect that's what Harry wants the apology for tbh.

He's tried using his with one of his more recent court cases, I believe. He could well be on a final warning too or it'll be revoked formally and permanently, which neither of them want.

If they had said "hey everyone just linking some causes to help", they would've been crucified for being flippant.

Yes, agree, don't like From the Office of..." but it's minor and they did what they should do with the rest of the statement

Anyway. If anyone wants to donate-All Power Books take Venmo. Animal Wellness Foundation takes PayPal. Compton Cowboys looks to be a fascinating organization, but I can't at first glance see an easy donation route. Baby2Baby take cards. World Central Kitchen takes ApplePay.

If they had said "hey everyone just linking some causes to help", they would've been crucified for being flippant

That of course wasn’t the only other approach!

But pared right down is how some are going about it: example

”(names) are thinking of everyone impacted by the wildfires in California, and are grateful for the work of the heroic firefighters and first responders.
If you're looking for ways to help, go to: (link)”

Now obvs H&M have no particular reason to be grateful as their area is unaffected and they’ve never been responsible for any emergency services. Also they are known for their word salad (which leaves me cold, but presumably resonates well in their target audience) so I would expect something verbose.

I happen to think that the simpler statements are having a greater impact. And that simple does not have to be flippant at all.

I don’t see anything wrong with their statement. But it would be nice if charity organizations there would mention that the woke liberal mayor and governor and head of fire dept took millions away from fire dept and spent that money on useless DEI programs instead. Safety reports were ignored by them, for example getting more water. Many hydrants were empty! Also many scientists and environmentalists told them they needed to do control fires but were ignored as well. Hopefully this was a wake up call to Californians to vote and do better next time.

Further to my previous post, this is the link to fundraisers. It’s similar to the one doing the celebrity rounds, but also includes the Salvation Army, a wildlife charity and the Californian firefighters benevolent fund

time.com/7205547/los-angeles-wildfires-how-to-help-victims/ time.com/7205547/los-angeles-wildfires-how-to-help-victims/]]]]

And notes that GoFundMe now has a page of verified organisations active in relief

Are they offering a home to anyone they know or to any pets, or just guilting other people into doing it?

Like their much-vaunted stance on climate change, all the while flying the world on private jets!!

Total double standards!

Yes, as per previous post - while flying around the world on private jets!!!

I don't want or need to hear from hypocrites!

Are they offering a home to anyone they know or to any pets
Yes, they are.

Do we live in LA????

Me?

No.

@mainecooncatonahottinroof My point is that this event might make some people rethink their position. We need rich and influential people speaking out on this issue.

Exactly. It doesn’t matter how attention is drawn to get help for the people and animals who need help, more awareness means more help and more donations. Meghan and Garry have a platform and this is them using it for good.

They are the ones I'd want to help too.

I imagine the obscenely wealthy will fare ok in the long run.

I think Mrs Finkelstein's posts are eminently sensible.

Maybe you could learn from her?