Robert Trujillo is helping the people affected by West Coast’s wildfires…
The 55-year-old Mexican American bassist and his Metallica band mates have donated $250,000 to five organizations on the front lines of the area’s devastating wildfire crisis through their All Within My Hands charity.
The donations are earmarked for the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund, the Oregon Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund, the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County’s Fire Response Fund, the Community Foundation of North Central Washington NCW Fire Relief Fund and the North Valley Community Foundation Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund.
“Communities across the west coast of our country are suffering,” Metallica tweeted. “The @AWMHFoundation is donating $250,000 to assist in wildfire relief efforts.”
In a statement from AWMH, the non-profit organization founded by the metal icons in 2017 explains, “Wildfires have become a cruel and unwelcome annual benchmark in California, and this year we have seen them tragically extend across the entire west coast of our country. This is the fourth consecutive year, dating back to the formation of the Foundation, that All Within My Hands has activated to support fire relief: the critical local services component of our mission.”
The band is also encouraging fans to join in supporting first responders and those in need in any way they can by donating money, non-perishable food, clothing and other supplies. This year’s fire season in California, Oregon and Washington have combined to create the worst fire season on record, with more than a month left to go.
According to the New York Times, more than five million acres have burned in the three states so far, destroying thousands of buildings and killing more than two dozen people and thick smoke and ash have fouled the air up and down the coast.
“Communities across the west coast of our country are suffering,” writes the band on Twitter. “The @AWMHFoundation is donating $250,000 to assist in wildfire relief efforts. To learn more, visit https://t.co/vBaDmRgyz4. #AWMH #MetallicaGivesBack https://t.co/4QCScSN2DN