SACRAMENTO, CALIF./ JUNE 06, 2018 /The seventh annual Get Prepared, California! Auction—sponsored by the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) and coordinated by iHeartMedia—has raised $175,978. Over the years, the auctions have raised a total of approximately $1,230,000 for disaster-preparedness and relief efforts in California.
Open for bidding April 2 through April 30, the 2018 Get Prepared, California! Auction featured many remarkable experiences, including:
Meet-and-greets with Maroon 5, Mario Lopez and The Weeknd.
Unique fan experiences at Los Angeles Dodgers, Clippers and Chargers games.
A ride on the Goodyear Blimp.
A new Kia Optima, which was delivered by radio, film and TV personality Big Boy.
“CEA is proud to join forces with the American Red Cross to help more Californians prepare to survive and recover from California’s next big earthquake,” said CEA CEO Glenn Pomeroy. “It could happen today, and we’re working together to help more people get ready.”
The 2018 Get Prepared, California! Auction was promoted statewide on 58 iHeartMedia radio stations, and the total proceeds were announced through a check presentation to the American Red Cross on stage during iHeartMedia’s KIIS FM Wango Tango by AT&T concert in Los Angeles on June 2.
“The Red Cross is extremely grateful and values the partnership we have with CEA and iHeartMedia and for all their efforts to put this auction together to raise donations for disaster relief,” said Jarrett Barrios, CEO Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “These funds will go a long way in providing valuable resources and support disasters throughout California.”
Since 2012, auction proceeds have helped to support 32 American Red Cross chapters throughout California. Funding so far has been enough to distribute 200,000 blankets at emergency shelters, 100,000 hot meals in communities, or 400,000 “comfort kits” that provide toiletries and personal items people may need after a disaster.
Most Californians live within 30 miles of an active fault. Scientists say there is more than a 99 percent chance that a magnitude-6.7 or greater quake will strike California within the next 30 years.
To learn more about the auction and steps Californians can take to get prepared for the next damaging earthquake, visit http://www.GetPreparedCalifornia.org.