Author: sHq_LoGiNz
Workers’ compensation community unites to support local children and honor first responders
OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Pacific Workers, The Lawyers for Injured Workers, proudly joined the Workers’ Compensation Community and the Oakland Alameda County Firefighters’ Local 55 Toy Drive, helping raise more than $25,000 and collect hundreds of toys for local children at a holiday reception at The Rotunda Building in downtown Oakland.
Hosted in collaboration with the Oakland-Alameda County-Emeryville Firefighters Charity, the event brought together judges, attorneys, medical providers, labor leaders, and community partners to celebrate and support the firefighters and first responders who protect Bay Area families every day.
“Our firefighters and first responders run toward danger so the rest of us can stay safe,” said Carmen Ramírez, Community Director at Pacific Workers. “Supporting this toy drive is one meaningful way we can give back to them and to the communities they serve. We are honored to stand beside Local 55 and the Workers’ Compensation community to make the holidays brighter for local families.”
Guests contributed through monetary donations and toys, helping the event surpass fundraising expectations and benefit the Oakland-Alameda County-Emeryville Firefighters Charity.
“For years, Pacific Workers has been committed to standing up for injured workers, including firefighters and other first responders,” added Iana Zadneprovskaia, partner of Pacific Workers. “Being part of this toy drive is a natural extension of our mission.”
The Oakland Alameda County Firefighters’ Local 55 Toy Drive is a long-standing tradition that helps ensure children across Oakland, Alameda County, and surrounding communities experience the joy of the holiday season. Pacific Workers plans to continue supporting Local 55 and other first responder organizations through future sponsorships, volunteer activities, and community partnerships.
About Pacific Workers
Pacific Workers represents injured workers in complex claims and appeals within the workers’ comp system. The firm pairs trial-ready advocacy with compassionate client service, delivering meaningful results across workers’ compensation and related matters.
Media Contact
Daniela Rivero
Public Relations Specialist
Pacific Workers, The Lawyers for Injured Workers
Daniela.Rivero@PacificWorkers.com | PacificWorkers.com
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pacific-workers-helps-raise-more-than-25-000-for-oakland-firefighters-local-55-toy-drive-302642707.html
SOURCE Pacific Workers’, The Lawyers for Injured Workers
PASADENA, Calif., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On January 1, 2026, wildfire survivors will represent the thousands of families and individuals whose homes and communities were forever changed by the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires with a Rose Parade® presented by Honda float honoring the resilience, courage and unity of wildfire survivors from Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades and Pasadena.
The California Community Foundation (CCF) and the Black Freedom Fund (BFF) announced that they are co-sponsoring the 55-foot-long float, Rising Together. No funds designated to support wildfire survivors were used to sponsor the float. Rather, the float serves as a tribute to the 31 residents who lost their lives in the 2025 wildfires and honors the resilience and strength of the more than 13,000 families who lost their homes.
The float, which will appear on New Years Day before an international audience, showcases a phoenix rising, representing renewal and collective strength; California native plants and depictions of the San Gabriel Mountains, where the Eaton Fire burned; and waves and shoreline elements honoring the coastal communities of Pacific Palisades and Malibu which were devastated by the Palisades Fire. To honor the lives lost, 31 sunflowers will appear on the float — a symbol of remembrance and resilience.
Those riding and walking alongside the float will include:
- Families who lost their homes
- Older adults who are facing uncertainty about their future
- Community volunteers and grassroots leaders who organized food drives, resource sharing and emotional support networks in the fires’ aftermath
- Survivors representing the diverse communities impacted, many of whom are experiencing disproportionate displacement and recovery barriers.*
The float project will catalyze healing and recovery by bringing wildfire survivors and community members together in meaningful, hands-on experiences — from decorating the float to participating in pre-parade events.
It will also bring survivors together from the Altadena foothills to the Palisades and Malibu coastlines.
Gina Clayton Johnson, founder and executive director of Essie Justice Group, lost her home and her parents’ home in the Eaton Fire.
“Losing my home and seeing my parents lose theirs was devastating. What has carried me through is the strength of the community that raised me. I grew up watching the Rose Parade and even took part in its traditions as a young girl, never imagining I would one day return as a survivor. Riding on this float is not about celebration; it is about honoring our neighbors who are still grieving, still rebuilding and still fighting for answers. It is a reminder that when communities stand together in truth and accountability, we rise,” said Clayton Johnson.
Similarly, Sue Kohl, president of the Pacific Palisades Community Council, lost her home in Pacific Palisades and will ride on the float. “It’s an incredible honor to ride on the Rose Parade float representing wildfire survivors. Losing my home and my town in the Palisades Fire was devastating, but today I ride to celebrate resilience, renewal and the unbreakable spirit of a community that refuses to be defined by loss.”
Hours following the January 2025 fires, CCF responded through its Wildfire Recovery Fund, and the public swiftly rose to the call. More than 48,000 donors contributed over $100 million, with $30 million deployed in the first 30 days to support local nonprofits providing emergency aid, shelter, mental health services, financial assistance and programs for impacted families. In total, CCF granted more than $60 million in 2025 to over 270 local nonprofits providing essential support to families to heal and rebuild. CCF’s commitment to recovery is long-term, grounded in connection, compassion and the collective strength of our communities.
“One year after the wildfires devastated our communities, this float stands as living proof that hope, compassion and collective action don’t just help us survive tragedy — they help us rebuild stronger together. Angelenos are showing the world what we’ve always known: when we come together with purpose, there is no challenge too great to overcome. Los Angeles will rise from these ashes,” said CCF President and CEO Miguel A. Santana, adding that no wildfire funds were used to pay for the float.
BFF’s Black LA Relief & Recovery Fund worked to meet the immediate and long-term needs of Altadena and Pasadena wildfire survivors, distributing $3.5 million to more than 30 organizations providing vital relief for families.
“Their presence on the float honors the lives lost, symbolizes the resilience of survivors, and highlights the power of community support. Their stories remind parade viewers that recovery is strongest when neighbors lift one another — and that the spirit of unity seen in Los Angeles is possible in every community across the nation,” said Marc Philpart, President & CEO of Black Freedom Fund.
Honoring Loss and Lifting Community Strength
The float reflects the story of the 2025 wildfires through four themes:
- Remembrance:
A memorial floral element will pay tribute to the residents who lost their lives during the fires, honoring their memories and the families who continue to grieve. - Community Resilience & Leadership:
The float showcases the hope, healing and determination of residents committed to rebuilding their neighborhoods — including grassroots organizers, volunteers and local leaders who sustained their communities when recovery felt overwhelming. - Disproportionate Impact on Black and Latino Families:
The design acknowledges that the fires had unequal consequences and that Black and Latino households were already burdened by housing insecurity, higher displacement risk and fewer financial resources before the fires erupted. This moment is a chance for philanthropy to invest in systems-level changes that support an equitable recovery.
* In Altadena, nearly half of Black housing units were destroyed or severely damaged, compared to 37% for non-Black households, a report from the UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies found. Meanwhile, Latino residents in Altadena were overrepresented among low-income households, comprising 27% of Altadena’s population but accounting for 44% of those living below the federal poverty line, according to research from the UCLA Policy and Politics Institute.
- Awareness and Continued Support:
Nearly one year after the fires, thousands of families are still navigating insurance delays, rebuilding costs and emotional trauma. The float serves as a visible reminder that recovery will take years — and that sustained public attention remains crucial. The float also highlights the unique mental-health challenges older adults experience.
About the California Community Foundation (CCF):
Since 1915, California Community Foundation has served Los Angeles County as a public charitable organization dedicated to leading systemic change that strengthens communities. Managing $2.3 billion in assets and overseeing 1,900 charitable foundations, funds and legacies, CCF’s mission is to invest in, partner with and amplify the power of community toward a good life. For more information, visit www.calfund.org.
About the Black Freedom Fund:
Launched in 2020, the Black Freedom Fund (BFF) invests in the leaders and organizations at the center of Black communities, advancing people-led solutions to secure the future all communities deserve. In just 5 years, BFF has distributed more than $45 million to 200+ Black-serving organizations across the state —the largest pooled transfer of wealth toward Black organizing in history. Learn more: fundblackfreedom.org
Media Contact:
Gilien Silsby
213-500-8673
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rising-together-wildfire-survivors-will-have-a-dedicated-float-in-the-137th-rose-parade-302642650.html
SOURCE California Community Foundation
December 15, 2025 /3BL/ – As Jamaica continues its recovery from Hurricane Melissa, Direct Relief has completed a major weekend deployment of emergency medical aid, shipping large-scale supplies by air and sea to support hospitals and clinics across the island.
The effort was carried out in partnership with Carnival Corporation & plc, the Miami HEAT, and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, who collectively provided $1 million in support of Direct Relief’s Hurricane Melissa response. Together, the coordinated operation shipped 144 pallets — 68 tons — of critically needed medicines and medical supplies to Jamaica through a combination of air and sea transport, representing one of the largest private humanitarian responses supporting the country’s post-storm recovery.
On Saturday, December 13, Direct Relief’s dedicated airlift departed Miami International Airport and landed in Kingston, Jamaica, transporting urgently needed medical supplies requested by health authorities to help replenish strained inventories at hospitals and clinics serving storm-affected communities. The response continued Sunday, December 14, when additional medical aid departed Miami aboard the Carnival Horizon, which is scheduled to arrive in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on December 18. Miami HEAT Legend Alonzo Mourning joined to assist in the loading of the pallets.
“After a disaster of this magnitude, people need to know that care will be there when they need it,” said Amy Weaver, CEO of Direct Relief. “Because of the longstanding partnership and commitment of Carnival Corporation, the Miami HEAT, and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, we’re able to get essential medical support to communities across Jamaica as they continue to recover.”
“This partnership demonstrates the strength of coming together to help those in need,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival is proud to work alongside Direct Relief and the Miami HEAT to deliver these essential supplies to Jamaica.”
“The devastation of Hurricane Melissa was incredible and will be felt in Jamaica for years to come,” said Eric Woolworth, president of business operations for the Miami HEAT. “Along with Direct Relief and Carnival, it’s our hope that the supplies we send will help start the road to recovery.”
The shipments included a broad range of essential medicines and medical supplies, including treatments for chronic disease, emergency care, and routine clinical services — resources that are critical as healthcare providers continue caring for patients while navigating infrastructure damage and supply disruptions caused by the storm.
Direct Relief has worked in a longstanding partnership with Jamaica since 1988 and has provided more than $76 million in medicines and medical supplies to the country since 2008. The organization continues to coordinate closely with the Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness and local healthcare partners to ensure aid reaches facilities serving the most urgent needs, supporting both immediate response efforts and longer-term health-system recovery.
This weekend’s shipments build on Direct Relief’s sustained Hurricane Melissa response and reflect the organization’s commitment to standing with communities before, during, and after disasters, strengthening access to care and resilience well beyond the initial emergency phase.
December 15, 2025 /3BL/ – As Jamaica continues its recovery from Hurricane Melissa, Direct Relief has completed a major weekend deployment of emergency medical aid, shipping large-scale supplies by air and sea to support hospitals and clinics across the island.
The effort was carried out in partnership with Carnival Corporation & plc, the Miami HEAT, and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, who collectively provided $1 million in support of Direct Relief’s Hurricane Melissa response. Together, the coordinated operation shipped 144 pallets — 68 tons — of critically needed medicines and medical supplies to Jamaica through a combination of air and sea transport, representing one of the largest private humanitarian responses supporting the country’s post-storm recovery.
On Saturday, December 13, Direct Relief’s dedicated airlift departed Miami International Airport and landed in Kingston, Jamaica, transporting urgently needed medical supplies requested by health authorities to help replenish strained inventories at hospitals and clinics serving storm-affected communities. The response continued Sunday, December 14, when additional medical aid departed Miami aboard the Carnival Horizon, which is scheduled to arrive in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on December 18. Miami HEAT Legend Alonzo Mourning joined to assist in the loading of the pallets.
“After a disaster of this magnitude, people need to know that care will be there when they need it,” said Amy Weaver, CEO of Direct Relief. “Because of the longstanding partnership and commitment of Carnival Corporation, the Miami HEAT, and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, we’re able to get essential medical support to communities across Jamaica as they continue to recover.”
“This partnership demonstrates the strength of coming together to help those in need,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival is proud to work alongside Direct Relief and the Miami HEAT to deliver these essential supplies to Jamaica.”
“The devastation of Hurricane Melissa was incredible and will be felt in Jamaica for years to come,” said Eric Woolworth, president of business operations for the Miami HEAT. “Along with Direct Relief and Carnival, it’s our hope that the supplies we send will help start the road to recovery.”
The shipments included a broad range of essential medicines and medical supplies, including treatments for chronic disease, emergency care, and routine clinical services — resources that are critical as healthcare providers continue caring for patients while navigating infrastructure damage and supply disruptions caused by the storm.
Direct Relief has worked in a longstanding partnership with Jamaica since 1988 and has provided more than $76 million in medicines and medical supplies to the country since 2008. The organization continues to coordinate closely with the Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness and local healthcare partners to ensure aid reaches facilities serving the most urgent needs, supporting both immediate response efforts and longer-term health-system recovery.
This weekend’s shipments build on Direct Relief’s sustained Hurricane Melissa response and reflect the organization’s commitment to standing with communities before, during, and after disasters, strengthening access to care and resilience well beyond the initial emergency phase.
On December 11, 2025, the 12th Annual Women in Entertainment (Film, TV, Music, Sports, and Fashion) event returned to AEG’s Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA. The sold-out evening, themed “Art of Entertainment” and presented by Coca-Cola, City National Bank, Los Angeles Dodgers, Fox Entertainment, and Skechers, brought together top female executives, creators, and industry leaders.
The event recognized 2025 Women in Entertainment Inspiration Award honorees Award-Winning Recording Artist Verdine White (Earth, Wind, & Fire), Award-Winning Recording Artist Estelle, and 102.3 KJLH Radio for their leadership and lasting contributions. Guests enjoyed a special art exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ernie Barnes’ The Sugar Shack, live music by DJ Jiji Sweet, a performance by the Faithful Central Church Choir, and opportunities to shop local businesses.
“This event celebrates the power, creativity, and leadership of women across all aspects of the entertainment industry,” said Tamala Lewis, Sr. Director, Community Relations & Foundation, Dignity Health Sports Park. “Our goal is to create a platform where women can connect, inspire, and support each other while highlighting those who have paved the way for future generations.”
A highlight of the evening was the Women in Entertainment Luncheon panel, moderated by Pat Shields of Black Dot Inc. The discussion featured top industry leaders including Abigail Weintraub, VP, LA28 Olympics & Paralympic Games; Ranada Shepard, Co-Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer; Evan Seymour, Founder, ERS Public Relations & Black Women in Entertainment; Felisa Israel Founder & Executive Producer, 10 Fold Entertainment; and Jennifer Sinigal-Cornelius, Creator & Fashion Designer, Born To Roam. Panelists shared insights on leadership, innovation, and career development while emphasizing the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and creating opportunities for the next generation of women in entertainment.
The event reinforced the power, creativity, and leadership of women shaping entertainment today.
On December 11, 2025, the 12th Annual Women in Entertainment (Film, TV, Music, Sports, and Fashion) event returned to AEG’s Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA. The sold-out evening, themed “Art of Entertainment” and presented by Coca-Cola, City National Bank, Los Angeles Dodgers, Fox Entertainment, and Skechers, brought together top female executives, creators, and industry leaders.
The event recognized 2025 Women in Entertainment Inspiration Award honorees Award-Winning Recording Artist Verdine White (Earth, Wind, & Fire), Award-Winning Recording Artist Estelle, and 102.3 KJLH Radio for their leadership and lasting contributions. Guests enjoyed a special art exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ernie Barnes’ The Sugar Shack, live music by DJ Jiji Sweet, a performance by the Faithful Central Church Choir, and opportunities to shop local businesses.
“This event celebrates the power, creativity, and leadership of women across all aspects of the entertainment industry,” said Tamala Lewis, Sr. Director, Community Relations & Foundation, Dignity Health Sports Park. “Our goal is to create a platform where women can connect, inspire, and support each other while highlighting those who have paved the way for future generations.”
A highlight of the evening was the Women in Entertainment Luncheon panel, moderated by Pat Shields of Black Dot Inc. The discussion featured top industry leaders including Abigail Weintraub, VP, LA28 Olympics & Paralympic Games; Ranada Shepard, Co-Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer; Evan Seymour, Founder, ERS Public Relations & Black Women in Entertainment; Felisa Israel Founder & Executive Producer, 10 Fold Entertainment; and Jennifer Sinigal-Cornelius, Creator & Fashion Designer, Born To Roam. Panelists shared insights on leadership, innovation, and career development while emphasizing the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and creating opportunities for the next generation of women in entertainment.
The event reinforced the power, creativity, and leadership of women shaping entertainment today.