Hearts and minds around the world are surely on the Los Angeles area, which suffered catastrophic damage from last week’s wildfires that ravaged idyllic neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades and Altadena. At the time of publication, approximately two dozen people had died and more than 12,000 structures had been damaged or destroyed. Experts estimate it could become the costliest wildfire in U.S. history, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In the world of events, Los Angeles is a particularly special place. Countless planners, creatives, agencies and other industry professionals call the city home, as do major entertainment events like the Oscars and Emmys. The Summer Olympics will even take place there in 2028.
So it’s no surprise that a nonprofit events organization is stepping up to help industry professionals in need. The SEARCH Foundation was officially founded in 1997 specifically to assist meeting and event professionals in times of crisis, whether related to illness, accident, or catastrophic events like hurricanes, floods, and fires of forest. Those in need can apply for grants that are fully funded by industry and redistributed directly to the industry.
“I woke up to text messages from people sending photos of what was once their home and asking: Does this apply to the SEARCH Foundation?” says Kate Patay, foundation president and vice president of global engagement for Terramar DMC. “I told them, ‘Yes, that’s exactly what it’s for.’”
Anyone working in the meetings or events industry has access to the SEARCH Foundation, she adds. Grants are 100% industry-funded, whether from individual or corporate donations.
We recently sat down with Patay to discuss the ongoing SEARCH efforts in Los Angeles and more about the lasting impact the foundation has had on the events world…
When was SEARCH first activated for these Los Angeles wildfires?
The day they started. I was actually on a trip to Cabo, and one of our board members lives in the Los Angeles area (two of them live in the affected area), and she sent a message saying that she was evacuating and the winds were so bad. It appeared to be one of the worst California had seen. So, immediately our flag was raised.
What is the foundation actively doing now to help people in Los Angeles?
We have a process in place in the event of a natural disaster – whether it was these wildfires, the Maui wildfires, when Hurricanes Milton and Helene hit – to prepare our Crisis Relief Committee for a influx of cases so that we can process them within 24 hours. hours. We have a subcommittee looking for resources in these areas, which are already listed on our website for Los Angeles. These are additional resources beyond the SEARCH Foundation, so anything related to government, local, and other unique things, like where to take your big animals. Our goal is to answer questions such as: Where are additional financing options available? Where is there shelter? What other grants are available?
Our team actually takes the time to research any option, review it, and then find the actual application. Because, unfortunately, if you go to a government website, you’re going to click 25 times before you get to the app. So we’re doing that work as well.
How can other event professionals help you?
The biggest problem right now is financial. People need help because they have to evacuate. They must find shelter. So this is the majority of requests. People are looking for financing to be able to find shelter for one to three months, until they know what the insurance will cover.
I would say the easiest way to help is to donate. When there’s an active, catastrophic incident like this, it’s not about sending people or objects or goods specifically into the community, because right now it’s congested, between people trying to get out, trying to get first responders in. people will ask, “Can I send diapers or bottled water?” If the Red Cross or anyone else asks, yes, absolutely. But our main goal is just to make sure people have food and shelter.
Some companies have mobilized and made donations to finance entire files. And then, last week, five new people joined the SEARCH 100, which is our flagship donor program. You donate a minimum of $100 per month in perpetuity. So by signing up, you give all year, but you know that 100% of the funds go directly to the crisis relief fund.
What else should readers know right now?
Incidents like this happen in the blink of an eye. You hope it’s a resource you’ll never need. But life changes quickly, and people who are currently in danger probably never thought it would happen to them. So it’s there for anyone who needs it.
I hope anyone reading this article never needs it, but if they do, I’m glad they know it exists. Be as generous as possible and just know that even though these wildfires are happening, we are still actively funding those who are injured or become ill. Other losses are still there. The crisis never ends.
How did SEARCH start in the 90s?
We got our official 501(c)(3) status in 1997, but it actually started in 1990 or 1991. It was a very grassroots effort that started with the AIDS epidemic, and people from the industry just wanted to help each other. We are hospitable; that’s what we do. Its growth has been rapid and organic.
I guess it was the only organization of its kind at the time, specifically aimed at the events community.
Yes, and it’s still the only one that is strictly crisis-based. There are many foundations, and the majority of them are education foundations, which are so needed, and I support them. They helped me in my career. SEARCH is truly the only crisis-based foundation, which is why we work alongside so many of these foundations. We are not in competition with them; we are allies in this area.
What does the foundation’s impact mean to you?
For me, it’s the return. I feel like my community and my industry have given me a lot, and I’m very lucky to be where I am. So for me, this is my real contribution to the industry. We help lift people up; we have our associations and everything we do to advance our careers and networks and be better overall. And you’ve reached a point in your career where you realize it’s your duty to give back. So this is my tribute to our industry.
Donate to the SEARCH Foundation here. For visitor updates and more resources and information on how you can help Los Angeles, visit this Discover Los Angeles page.
This article was originally published in our sister publication, BizBash.
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