Golden State Today

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced a statewide fundraising effort to support students, families, and educators affected by recent wildfires in California. Donations, which are tax-deductible, can be made on the SupplyBank.org Disaster Relief Fund web page.

Thurmond is currently in the Inland Empire, one of the regions most impacted by the fires, where he is providing support for emergency response efforts in San Bernardino County and coordinating the call for donations.

“Our school communities are hurting due to the wildfires that are, once again, ravaging our state,” Thurmond said. “Californians are resilient and generous and always have each other’s backs in times of crisis. Let’s continue to come together for our communities in need so they can get back on their feet.”

The nonprofit organization SupplyBank.org has partnered with the California Department of Education (CDE) to collect financial donations and direct resources to areas most in need.

Since 2019, Thurmond has secured thousands of donations to assist families impacted by natural disasters. These contributions have helped provide gift cards for housing and gas expenses, food, water, clothing, and school supplies. Support has been extended to numerous school communities affected by various disasters such as wildfires, floods, and landslides.

Thurmond also established the first Emergency Services Office at the CDE to ensure schools receive necessary emergency support during environmental disasters that occur year-round.

“I am proud of the resilience of our communities, but this does not have to be our future,” said Thurmond. “The current heat wave and high winds are creating tougher conditions for firefighters and emergency responders who are protecting our communities. We must prioritize a healthy and safe future for California’s families.”

Questions regarding CDE emergency response efforts can be directed via email to emergencyservices@cde.ca.gov.