Watch CBS News

Maryland school district launches campaign to help Los Angeles students impacted by wildfires

Maryland school launches campaign to help California residents in wildfires
Maryland school launches campaign to help California residents in wildfires 01:39

BALTIMORE -- Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) is collecting donations for students and families impacted by destructive wildfires in Los Angeles through a new campaign called #LiftLA, Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell announced Thursday.

At least 25 people are dead as the Eaton and Palisades fires continue to burn in southern California, according to CBS News. The deadly fires started on January 7, growing from a brush fire that was fueled by strong winds. 

A dozen schools were damaged or destroyed during the fires, and some others were closed for mandatory evacuations, CBS News reported. Students and staff of the country's largest school district, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), are still dealing with the aftermath.

"My mom told me before we had that play date that it burned down, like my classroom and everything in it," second grader Lucy Van Voorhis told CBS News. "I'm just really sad, because I loved that school."

Many LAUSD schools reopened on Monday, Jan. 13, but about 700 students started classes later at new locations after two elementary schools were destroyed. 

AACPS offers support

Superintendent Bedell is hoping to offer support to families dealing with the aftermath of the devastating wildfires through the #LiftLA campaign.

"Lives are forever altered, and an untold number of Los Angeles residents have little to nothing left," he said. 

Starting Wednesday, Jan. 22, Anne Arundel County students can take donations to their schools to be collected, and parents can drop off donations at schools or school system offices at any time.

"The Belong, Grow, Succeed mindset we try to impart to students every day is sometimes bigger than our own community, and this is an opportunity to step up and help," Bedell said in a message posted to the AACPS website.

Checks can be made to the Education Foundation of Anne Arundel County Public Schools with the notation #LiftLA in the memo line. Online donations can be submitted here

The campaign will continue through February 28, 2025.

"The rebuilding of Los Angeles will take years, if not decades," Superintendent Bedell said. "Our efforts can make a difference for children we may never meet, but whose lives can be bettered by our generosity."

Marley Godish, a fifth grader at Severn Elementary school, told WJZ she's eager to do something to help. 

"To know that you lost everything, that has to be depressing," said Godish. "We are the community and we have to help each other out." 

Severn Elementary school principal Isaphine Smith said the campaign will help foster empathy among the young students. 

"That's what this is all about," said Smith. "It starts at the elementary level and our kids have a heart and passion to serve and help other people, so I'm really excited for us to be a part of this initiative."

Wildfires rage through Los Angeles

The wildfires in southern California continued to burn for a second week, and so far more than 12,000 structures have been destroyed, CBS News reported

While the largest fires in the Palisades and Eaton continue to burn, officials said Thursday that the strongest winds began weakening, helping ease conditions for firefighters. 

As of Thursday morning, 21% of the Palisades fire - which burned 23,714 acres - and almost half of the Eaton fire which spans 14,117 acres, were contained. 

Crews said they were still working to contain additional wildfires in Los Angeles County: the Little Mountain Fire in San Bernardino and the Auto Fire in Ventura County, which is 85% contained, according to Cal Fire officials. 

Tens of thousands of Los Angeles County residents are still under evacuation orders and curfews are still in effect in the Palisades and Eaton fire zones, as of Thursday afternoon.

The National Weather Services told CBS News that dangerous conditions are expected to continue next week.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.