With more than 12,000 homes, schools, businesses and other structures destroyed in wildfires raging through the Los Angeles area, families have been making their way to Santa Barbara.
To support those families, local schools have hosted day camps with crafts, educational activities, and counseling for families.
Cold Spring Elementary School in Santa Barbara hosted three day camps in the past week with 75 families in attendance. Superintendent Dr. Amy Alzina said they had 35 families on the first day -- last Friday -- and more families joined over the weekend as the word got out.
"I've seen our community mobilize and support families over my almost 20 years as an administrator, but I've never seen something as magical and fantastic as this," Alzina said.
So many families were interested in the day camp that Peabody Charter School in Santa Barbara took in 45 families who were on a waitlist and hosted its own day camp.
"They're just doing things like music class, dance class, art class, and they're having a great time," said Demian Barnett, superintendent/principal of Peabody Charter School. "It's giving parents some time to deal with all the things they need to deal with."
Barnett said they've seen families who have lost their homes in the fires as well as families staying in the area while they're evacuated. They've even seen multiple families from the same school, reuniting friends in an unfamiliar place.
"The Santa Barbara community knows about fire," Barnett said. "I was really touched yesterday by how generous the Santa Barbara community was and making sure these families had what they needed because they relate, they know what that can be like, so there's a little bit of a connection there."
Alzina and Barnett said they've received numerous donations from the community to go toward victims of the fires. One Cold Spring parent worked to get a bag of pajamas with toiletries for every family. Families also have received toys, clothes, school supplies and more.
"They're so grateful, as you can imagine," Alzina said. "I had one woman in tears because she was like, 'Thank God I have a pair of underwear.'"
The camp will be held Wednesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for children ages 6 to 16. Activities will include music, dance and art, and trauma-informed counselors will be available throughout the day for support.
Families can register for the camp here.
Local schools are already seeing families affected by the fires express interest in enrollment.
Anthony Ranii, superintendent of the Montecito Union School District, said they've had three families enroll in the district, two of whom have already started. Ranii said they have another family considering enrollment and several others considering moving to the area.
Alzina said two families enrolled in the Cold Spring School District in the past week.
Ed Zuchelli, spokesman for the Santa Barbara Unified School District, said they've had one family enroll and two others express interest.
Anne Hubbard, superintendent of the Hope School District, said they've had two families inquire about enrollment.
"I think all of us will probably start to see our attendance increase," Alzina said. "Some families might choose to relocate here, which is great for our schools and great for Santa Barbara."
Many local and LA-area nonprofit organizations are helping the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire relief effort.
Santa Barbara County has compiled a list of organizations, and more recovery information, on its website here.
The list includes suggestions to donate responsibly.
Some readers have reached out looking for place to donate clothing or other items, but many organizations are looking for monetary donations.
The American Red Cross is not collecting physical items at this time, local representative Taylor Poisall said Tuesday.
"We know that people are generous and want to do everything they can to help after a disaster," Poisall said. "Our first priority is to provide shelter and support to those affected -- and financial donations are the quickest and best way to help those who need it most."