Comcast (and its NBCUniversal subsidiary) and Netflix each said on Monday that they will donate $10 million to support Los Angeles area wildfire disaster relief and recovery efforts.
Comcast and NBCU said they will provide $2.5 million in funding as an inaugural corporate partner to the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ ReBUILD LA initiative. In addition, the cable and media conglomerate will contribute to organizations in the L.A. region to provide short- and long-term assistance, including the American Red Cross, Entertainment Industry Foundation SoCal Fire Fund, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.
In a letter to employees, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said the company would be splitting its $10 million donation between the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Community Fund Wildfire Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, Motion Picture and Television Fund, and the Entertainment Community Fund.
At least 24 people have died as a result of the wildfires across the greater Los Angeles area, authorities reported Sunday evening. More than 150,000 people have been displaced because of the disaster, and the fires have damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 structures.
SEE ALSO: Disney and Paramount Donate to L.A Fire Relief and Rebuilding Efforts, CAA Launches SoCal Fire Fund
Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast, said in a statement, “We extend our deep appreciation to the first responders for their tireless and courageous efforts and to our news teams, including NBC4 and KVEA, who are providing vital coverage during this time. We stand ready to support our employees and the broader Los Angeles community as we recover and rebuild from these tragic events.”
Comcast and NBCUniversal said they are also providing emergency financial funds, in addition to health and welfare benefits including access to temporary housing and hotels at discounted rates, to employees who have been affected by the destruction of the wildfires. Through the Comcast NBCUniversal Employee Disaster Assistance Fund, the company is providing grants to employees in need as well as making a special company double match for employee donations made to the fund through the Comcast NBCUniversal Matching Gift Program.
Netflix is similarly offering assistance with temporary housing for any employees who have been displaced by the fires, as well as double matching employee charitable contributions.
In his letter, Sarandos evoked the nearly 30 years he’s spent in the city. “For many people who aren’t familiar with it, Los Angeles conjures images of palm trees and red carpets; mansions and movie stars,” he wrote. “But for those of us lucky enough to call this city home, Los Angeles is far more than that. It’s a family — one made up of extraordinarily talented, hardworking people from all over the world and all walks of life, many of whom came here chasing a dream.
“Today, that dream feels a little further out of reach for thousands of our friends, family, colleagues and neighbors. But one thing that I have seen over and over again is how Angelenos and Californians come together in times of crisis and how we rebuild.”
