While watching the Oscars, I learned of a unique humanitarian effort in which the Zello company turned its headquarters into the Zello Infrastructure Support Center to help victims of the California wildfires. The entertainment company worked with major Hollywood studios, set decorators, production companies, and prop houses to amass a warehouse full of furniture and items from movie sets, then arranged free distribution to fire victims. One clip showed displaced residents with sets from the Wicked movie now furnishing their temporary home — a small moment of joy amidst the devastation.
Zello not only mobilized donations for the tangible pieces but also coordinated the scheduling of appointments for families to go “shopping”, free delivery by the Teamsters, and volunteer services by set decorators to help families coordinate items. It was a massive effort that helped hundreds.
Zello pulled this off by relying on its connections in the entertainment world but each individual and organization has connections of their own that can be deployed for good. (For example, my sister is using her network to fundraise for victims in Ukraine — donate here). If you are among the fortunate, utilize that blessing to mobilize action to benefit others.
