Bay Area pitches in to help victims of blazes

LOS ANGELES FIRES

Volunteer worker Christy Smith, center, sorts donated items in the parking lot of Trader Vic’s restaurant on Sunday in Emeryville. Hundreds of people dropped off donations of clothing, toiletries, games and more to be sent to victims of the fires in Southern California. PHOTOS BY ARIC CRABB — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Volunteer worker Dr. Siggie Choen, center, sorts donated items in the parking lot of Trader Vic’s restaurant Sunday in Emeryville.

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By Chase Hunter and Aric Crabb

Bay Area News Group

Emeryville >> Bay Area residents overwhelmed an Emeryville donation drive Sunday for victims of the Los Angeles fires, causing gridlock on Interstate 880 and filling a 26-foot-long truck within an hour.

Bay Area content creators Natalie Marshall and Jessi Caparella organized the donation drive at the Trader Vic’s in Emeryville seeking lightly used clothing, toiletries and bags for the fire victims.

“You guys showed up so much we put the highway on gridlock,” Caparella said in an Instagram story.

Once the truck was filled, the drive’s organizers asked residents to bring their excess donations to other aid networks across the Bay Area. Emeryville police eventually had to shut down the event after it caused slow traffic on nearby roads and highways.

“It’s so moving and so powerful to see you guys all here. Thank you for your patience,” Caparella said. “We love you, L.A.; we’re on our way.”