Response to Recent Claims of Mieappropriation of Funds by Fire Aid LA

Hello, I am the founder of the original Fire Aid organization. It was founded and organized out of the Butte fire, in and around the Calaveras County area of California in 2015.

During early relief efforts of the LA wildfires we received a call from a lady who claimed to be working with the Azoff family (Irving Azoff - OVG founder and executive director of concert efforts for Fire Aid LA), asking to use the name Fire Aid for the Southern California relief efforts regarding the wildfires in LA at the beginning of this year. Of course I openly gave my blessing, without a second thought. All I asked was some form of a solution to decipher the difference between Northern California and Southern California Fire Aid efforts. It is my guess that is why "Fire Aid LA" was created.

We decided to move forward and conduct a music tour based on regional talent, a series of concerts throughout Northern California to benefit and support the victims of the LA wildfires. My team carefully vetted numerous non-profit organizations to receive the funds. I personally called and spoke with almost two dozen organizations. Most individuals do not realize the arduous journey in not only raising funds but distributing them fairly in situations like this. The two organizations that we found to be the most supportive and, most importantly, well organized were Samaritan's Purse and Musicares. The funds we are raising will go to both of those organizations as we see fit. Although our numbers are nothing compared to those raised in Los Angeles, we would hope at some point we could have combined our efforts and produce larger shows throughout the northern region of California.

When an organization like the Azoff family takes the time to organize and coordinate such a huge effort to raise funds you must take them very seriously in those efforts. It is nice to know there are still good people in the world willing to help others. For me, it validates those efforts, but most importantly when we choose to support those in need whether it's an individual, a small organization or a major entertainment conglomerate, the process should all move in the direction of a positive effort with a strong solution for success. When an organization achieves success at the level that was accomplished in the Los Angeles concerts, which I have been told were well over a hundred million dollars, one would hope the powers that be would have figured out a fair and equitable path for monies to be distributed once it was raised.

All I know is, that is how it's done, working on many large-scale benefits since my time with the Bill Graham Presents organization, that's how we did it. If I were a Billie Eilish, a Lady Gaga or Stevie Wonder I would want to know that my efforts, my name and likeness on a stage attracting millions of my fans to help raise funds for such an important major effort would have some type of a plan to execute not just the successful event but how to distribute funds raised for the purpose in question.

My suggestion to any and all organizations involved would be to narrow down the collection of nonprofits on their list and select those that are directly funding or supporting the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. Then maybe reset the criteria for distribution of those funds and based on your newly generated list of nonprofits, prioritize the monies distributed to those in need first and foremost based on your new set of criteria.

It has been extremely heartwarming to see the amount of local musical talent and businesses in the Northern California and Central Valley region willing to open up their hearts and their guitar cases to support our initiative. How likely are we to continue our efforts will be determined by the outcome of our Southern California Fire Aid neighbors. Even though we might be unrelated organizations, Northern California Fire Aid, is still affected due to the shared brand. We hope Fire Aid LA might resolve the situation sooner than later. Hopefully there will be a positive outcome as opposed to avoiding it all together hoping that the public and media will ignore its outcome. The final direction of their situation will play a role in how we move forward as a much smaller organization.

We hope we can continue to support our neighbors in Los Angeles who have been affected by the horrible wildfires.
Either way, the dilemma throughout Southern California will not be fixed anytime soon, it will take years to rebuild their neighborhoods, families and businesses. We hope we can continue the support.

Sincerely
Nolan Apostle
Event City™
Fire Aid™
Eventcity.net
209-753-4500