After the horrific news that 36 people perished in a three-alarm warehouse fire in Oakland Friday, organizations and Bay Area residents are reaching out to help.
The Gray Area Foundation for the Arts started an online fundraising page that raised more than $370,000 as of Tuesday morning. The city and the Red Cross also joined in this effort.
"One way we're asking those who want to give back is to give back through the website," an Oakland police spokesman said Tuesday.
Gray Area is a nonprofit that supports area artists.
The Oakland Athletics tweeted their support for those affected by the fire. "We will work together to heal our community," the team wrote. The A's also sought donations and pledged to match contributions up to $30,000, which has risen to $50,000 in a fundraiser that also includes Golden State Warriors and Oakland Raiders.
That fundraiser collected more than $300,000 by Tuesday morning. Both the Warriors and the Raiders have pledged to match $50,000 as well, and Sutter Health pledged to match $75,00.
The Warriors had also planned to hold a moment of silence for the victims at Saturday night's game. Proceeds from the game's Warriors Community Foundations 50/50 raffle were to support family assistance services for the Oakland fire, team officials said.
Organizers from the event held at the warehouse have created a list on Facebook to try and figure out who is alive and accounted for. Families and friends took to Facebook and Twitter to express condolences for those who had died in the fire, and search for those still missing.
The Alameda County Sheriff's Office and American Red Cross have set up a family assistance center at 2425 E. 12th Street. Grief counselors were on hand. People can call 510-382-3000 for help.
