For Immediate Release January 24, 2025

Brother’s Brother Foundation (BBF) would like to thank the Pittsburgh community for its support of our response to the devastating impact and loss of life caused by the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

The generosity of individual members of our community has been supplemented by donations from foundation and corporate partners. These include a $500,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and a $100,000 grant from the Eden Hall Foundation, along with grants from other family foundations.

“We all have been touched by the wrenching images from the fires in Southern California,” said Sam Reiman, Director of the Richard King Mellon Foundation. “The human devastation is acute and ongoing, impacting communities, people, families and their pets. The Foundation’s Trustees wanted to help. And the Brother’s Brother Foundation offers all of us the opportunity to do so through a local organization.”

Sylvia Fields, Eden Hall Foundation President, commented, “The wildfires raging near Los Angeles have cut a wide path of destruction in one of the most populous communities in the country.  The wind fed wildfires swept through the Greater Los Angeles area destroying property and lives.  We are proud to join relief efforts through the support of the Brothers Brother Foundation.  Eden Hall Foundation support will assist in the cost of supplies such as water, hygiene kits and other essential items in support of this effort.”

As part of our response, BBF has sent over 250,000 N95 masks donated by the Allegheny Health Network (AHN), 10 pallets of water from Giant Eagle equaling 20,000 bottles, along with thousands of hygiene kits donated and packed by organizations and community members across Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. We are also sending microwave ovens and refrigerators donated by AHN, safety equipment from MSA, disinfecting wipes and cleaning supplies from Apter Industries, and additional N95 masks from Ohio Health.

100% of funds received for BBF’s response are being used to support emergency relief and logistics. Credit card donations can be made at www.brothersbrother.org by clicking on DONATIONS and choosing USA – US Disaster Relief in the dropdown menu.  Checks should be made payable to Brother’s Brother Foundation and sent to the address below. Please note US Disaster Relief in the memo field.

Brother’s Brother Foundation

P.O. Box 645934
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-5257                

Thank you for your consideration and support.

For additional information, please contact Ozzy Samad, BBF President, at 412-725-7560 or Liam Carstens, VP of Programs at 412-237-2325.