LA County Wildfires 2-Week Recap: In the wake of devastating wildfires, our GEM BStrong teams were on the ground within 48 hours, delivering immediate relief. Families have lost homes, their personal belongings, and most of all security, and stability.
We continue to distribute Family Necessity Kits, food, water, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, PPE, and more. Partnering with Chef Cat Cora, we’ve served thousands of Chef-driven prepared meals to evacuees and survivors. Through our BStrong cash card program, we’re providing financial aid for immediate essentials like gas, groceries, and clothing.
We’re still actively supporting shelters, evacuation centers, and first responders with critical supplies. To assist displaced families, we’ve launched a short-term rental assistance program, helping them in securing temporary housing. Additionally, our Tool Replacement Initiative is helping skilled workers replace lost equipment and rebuild their small businesses and livelihoods.
Recovery will take time, but we are committed to uplift and empower these communities as they rebuild their lives. To learn more and how you can help, please visit the link in our bio section above. @bethennyfrankel #BStrong @stableroadfoundation @edfreedman @jefferies @handlerich @royalcaribbean #davidnicoletepperbergfoundation
North Carolina Update: When Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina 4 months ago, it left behind widespread devastation, impacting both the lives of residents and the region’s cultural legacy. #GEM #BStrong immediately mobilized.
Since then, we’ve remained committed to supporting recovery efforts in the region. To date, 23 trucks filled with vital resources have been delivered, and over 150 Starlink kits have been distributed to rural areas and first responders to restore connectivity. Through our partnership with Airbnb.org, we provided temporary housing for displaced families. Additionally, we have completed more than 30 helicopter missions to deliver supplies and assist with evacuations. In addition, we’ve supplied 28 skilled tradespeople with new tools to rebuild their livelihoods.
One of our most meaningful initiatives has been the Small Business & Artisan Relief Fund, which helps local entrepreneurs and artists recover from the storm’s destruction. So far, we’ve awarded grants to 79 businesses, funding essential needs such as relocating, rebuilding, and replacing equipment. These grants are making a lasting difference in the WNC community.
GEM and BStrong continue to stand with the people of Western North Carolina, working tirelessly to aid in recovery and rebuilding efforts. #DavidNicoleTepperFoundation @bethennyfrankel #BStrong
Our friend @iamginatorres stopped by the #GEM #BStrong LA Branch warehouse to highlight how Angelenos are coming together to support one another in the aftermath of the devastating LA wildfires. This is the true power of community in action.
To learn more and find out how you can help, visit the link in our bio.
LA County Wildfires - Volunteer shifts available from 10am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm. They can register here: https://pointapp.org/orgs/1372 @thisisabouthumanity @elsamariecollins @thisisabouthumanity @rembrandt @angeliquecabral @yaassnibbe @kaylaewell @chloebridges @iamginatorres @mindfulskatergirl @mcgilbertalistair #lacounty #wildfires #volunteer #opportunity
Thank you @JackeryUsa and Chelsea Freeborn for providing 50 multiple series of solar-powered generators to support crisis power deployment for first responders and fire departments on both the west and east sides. We extend our gratitude to Lane Carlson (@carlsonlane) for hands-on support in the west, facilitating solar power deployment efforts in collaboration with Topanga Fire Station 69 and surrounding areas, including Malibu, Palisades, and Topanga. #bstrong @bethennyfrankel @stableroadfoundation @jefferies #david&nicoletepper
We are deeply grateful to @evalongoria for your incredible support of the fire survivors across LA County. Your presence this week brought warmth and positivity to those facing such a difficult time of loss. On behalf of GEM, @bethennyfrankel’s BStrong, and all the survivors you touched, we send you our deepest love and respect for showing up and making a difference. Thank you, Eva! #evalongoria #lawildfires @stableroadfoundation @edfreedman #davidnicoletepperfoundation @jefferies
Chef @catcora joined forces with #GEM #BStrong to deliver fresh, chef-driven, nutritious meals for individuals and families who lost their homes in the LA County Wildfires. Through her partnership with @cookunity she is ensuring that those affected by the wildfires have access to fresh, prepared meals.
In 2004, Cat founded @chefsforhumanity one of the first chef-driven organizations focused on disaster response, hunger relief, and nutrition education. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award and Volunteer Service Award from President Obama.
Cat’s dedication to disaster response through food underscores the power of culinary talent in times of crisis. Cat Cora is a trailblazer in the culinary world, breaking barriers as the first female Iron Chef and the first woman inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame. #gem #bstrong #catcora #cookunity #chefsforhumanity
Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) Founder & President, @michaelcapponi appeared on @goodmorningamerica this morning to announce a grant for these 9 families that lost everything in #Altadena, California during the LA County Wildfires last week.
GEM granted each household $15,000 ($135,000) in direct cash assistance. These funds are provided by our partners, #BStrong @bethennyfrankel & @edfreedman from @stableroadfoundation. This is just the beginning, if you would like to adopt a family and support other families please email us through our bio-link. #GEM #bstrong #socalstrong #stableroadfoundation #GMA
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused extreme devastation across Western North Carolina, deeply impacting the region’s communities and its rich cultural heritage. GEM & BStrong responded immediately, and was the first organization to deliver semi-trucks full of essential supplies into Asheville.
To date, #GEM & #BStrong have sent 23 semi-trucks of aid to the area, equipped 28 tradespeople with brand-new tools, distributed over 150 Starlinks to rural communities and first responders, provided short-term housing through Airbnb.org, and conducted over 30 helicopter missions for distributions and evacuations. One of our most impactful initiatives, though, has been the Small Business & Artisan Relief Fund, which has awarded grants to dozens of local business owners and artists to help them rebuild and recover. These grants have supported needs such as relocation assistance, rebuilding and construction, purchasing new equipment, and more. So far, we’ve issued grants to 71 businesses, with additional support being awarded weekly.
GEM & BStrong remain on the ground in Western North Carolina, working diligently to empower and support all those affected by Hurricane Helene. We ❤️ these North Carolina Communities and will continue to stand with them while they recover. #DavidNicoleTepperFoundation @bethennyfrankel #BStrong
Please take a moment and watch this video from yesterday’s distributions to support individuals and families who have lost their homes in the LA County wildfires. #GEM #BStrong successfully carried out multiple donation drives across
Los Angeles. These efforts included distributions at Pasadena Church and First Congregational Church of LA. At these locations, GEM BStrong provided Family Necessity Kits and Cash Cards to assist wildfire victims with short-term rental support. @bethennyfrankel @michaelcapponi @stableroadfoundation @edfreedman #lafires #lawildfires #losangeles
Yesterday, in addition to launching and opening the GEM USA West LA Branch Warehouse to support individuals and families who have lost their homes in the LA County wildfires, #GEM #BStrong successfully carried out multiple donation drives across Los Angeles.
These efforts included distributions at Pasadena Church (425 Sierra Madre Villa Ave, Pasadena, CA) and First Congregational Church of LA (540 S Commonwealth Ave, Los Angeles, CA). At these locations, GEM BStrong provided Family Necessity Kits and Cash Cards to assist wildfire victims with short-term rental support.
Our mission remains steadfast in delivering immediate relief to those in need during this difficult time. Special thanks to @stableroadfoundation and @edfreedman for all of their continued support. #lawildfires #lafires To learn more and how you can help visit the links in our bio section above.
Our team on the ground in LA is led by California fire survivors from 2018. Sadly they know what it’s like to lose everything, but they have transmuted their losses into serving others in the same position they were in. At GEM, our mission is to empower disaster survivors in every phase of this response. Thank you to everyone contributing to this ongoing mission to help those affected by these devastating fires. #losangeles #lafires
Our teams are on the ground in Los Angeles delivering cash cards to fire survivors as part of our initial response. Thank you to everyone supporting this critical effort. We encourage everyone to donate to our ongoing mission in LA. #losangeles #bstrong @bethennyfrankel @officialmariabello @mindfulskatergirl @edfreedman @stableroadfoundation
Our team is on the ground in LA preparing for long-term support. GEM bstrong will soon begin distributing cash cards to displaced families in need of assistance. Trucks are being dispatched from our USA West branch north in Chico California. We’re asking everyone to support this vital mission by donating via the link in our bio. Help us inspire hope all throughout Los Angeles in the face of this heartbreaking disaster. #LAfires #losangeles #gembstrong @stableroadfoundation @edfreedman @mindfulskatergirl
Los Angeles county is presently being severely affected by a fast-moving and devastating wildfire, destroying homes and vegetation in the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and into Santa Monica. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, with Governor Newsom declaring a state of emergency. Thousands of homes are at risk due to the quick spreading fire, carried by the Santa Ana winds. Our GEM Bstrong USA West branch will be deploying to the area to support those affected with critical necessities. #palisadesfires @stableroadfoundation @bethennyfrankel
Beautiful day at our HQ in Doral Fl with @bethennyfrankel and her amazing daughter @iambrynhoppy. GEM thanks Bethenny for the last 7 years of partnership through her #bstrong initiative operated by @globalempowermentmission. Bryn loves humanity and pets and is following in her mom’s footsteps now. Look out for some amazing kid’s volunteer programs in 2025.
This holiday season, Global Empowerment Mission brought joy to tens of thousands of children worldwide, delivering gifts and spreading holiday magic. From the frontlines in Ukraine to communities across Europe, the United States, and our own Florida neighborhoods, GEM made the season brighter for so many. Take a moment to watch this heartfelt video featuring highlights from our holiday events around the globe. Thank you to everyone that played a part in these holiday events. And from all of us at GEM, we wish you a joyous holiday season and a very Merry Christmas! #Holidays2024 @globalempowermentmission @globalempowermentmissioneur @globalempowermentmissionua @globalempowermentmissionlatam @globalempowermentmissionhawaii @globalempowermentmissionhaiti @globalempowermentmissionmena @globalempowermentmissionasia
