Yuma locals rally to collect donations for Los Angeles wildfire victims

YUMA, AZ (AZFamily) — Generosity is overflowing from the Yuma community, with countless donations pouring in for people impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires.

Yuma’s 4th Avenue Gym is serving as a drop-off site for donations to help those affected.

“People can stop by, and we’re open 24 hours a day. They can bring items any time of the day and drop them off,” said Justin Hail, 4th Ave Gym owner.

Haile said it was a customer who came up with the idea.

Alex Caro is a marine who is based in Yuma. He said he wanted to help people in Los Angeles but needed a location to make it happen.

That’s when he contacted Haile about teaming up.

“Literally within minutes of speaking to him he was all about it he jumped on board,” said Caro.

Within hours of announcing the donation drive, the donations started pouring into the gym lobby.

“It warms my heart that, that quick people can come , support, and donate,” said Caro.

Elizabeth Chairez-Acosta and her family were also looking for ways to help, so they started a donation drive of their own.

“I like to call this a grassroots operation. We’re just a bunch of people that said, ‘Hey we’d like to help,‘” said Chairez-Acosta.

She teamed up with El Charro Cafe, Champion Church, and Cornerstone Preschool. Those sites will be collecting donations until Friday.

She’ll take a truckload of essentials to Los Angeles this weekend to LA Mission and LA Dream Center, with whom she’s been in contact.

Fourth Ave Gym will be collecting donations until noon on Thursday. Caro will be driving the donations to California on Friday.

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