Help Those Directly Affected by the Los Angeles Fires
The stories of 20 families and two schools in dire need, shared by the SMT community.
When my family moved to Los Angeles nearly four years ago, one of the things that surprised me most was how strong the sense of community is here. The city itself is massive and sprawling, known for its glitzy, star-studded events. But each neighborhood is like its own a small town. Most of the friends we have made live nearby; we run into them at the grocery store or coffee shop.
The urban wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles last week, which have killed at least 25 people and burned more than 60 square miles, did not reach our corner of the city. While we have been donating to established organizations that have been helping in a broad sense, I have been eager to connect more directly with the affected neighborhoods.
Yesterday, I put out a call on Instagram: Did anyone in the So Many Thoughts community know someone who lost their home? You all delivered a series of heartfelt testimonials of friends and family that moved me to tears. Below, the stories of 20 families and two schools that desperately need help.
Please consider giving what you can — and/or sharing this list on your social media pages. (Spreading the word is important, too!) And while we should all be aware of GoFundMe scams, please know I vetted the submissions to the best of my ability, in email exchanges with the person who sent the link.
I realize this represents a small sliver of the immense needs across the city. For other ways to help, consider this spreadsheet of Black displaced families in Altadena as well as the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles and Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network.
If this email gets cut off in your inbox, click here to read it in full.
Help Those Directly Affected by the Los Angeles Fires
Quick note before we begin: I struggled with what order to put these in, as needs are tremendous all around. Alphabetical or time of submission felt too random; percent of goal raised was too much of a moving target. What follows is a list of 20 individuals then two schools. Within each category, the recipients are *roughly* organized by total amount raised at the time of publication, from lowest to highest. Images paired with each are via the header of the corresponding GoFundMe.
The Beven Family
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Emily shares: “My closest friend and sorority sister from college, Susannah Beven, along with her husband Charlie and children Isla and Connor, lost their home in Altadena during the Eaton fire. They managed to evacuate quickly with their bearded dragon, but the home they had lovingly remodeled with their own hands has been completely destroyed. I know many have been affected by this devastating fire, but I have to tell you about this extraordinary family. Susannah and Charlie are the kind of people who consistently open their home and hearts to others without ever expecting anything in return. They're the ones who never ask for help, which is why I'm reaching out on their behalf. They're the first to bring dinner during tough times or celebrate your successes. When I was pregnant and overwhelmed with preparing our house for the baby, Charlie and Susannah showed up unannounced with their tools and worked alongside us until everything was ready. This is just who they are — community builders and leaders.”
Nadia and Roman
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Debbi shares: “Thanks for promoting these efforts in Altadena. My son’s friend from our AYSO District 13-Altadena/Pasadena/La Cañada soccer team (Hot Takis- B12U champions) has lost their home in Altadena. Here is the mother, Nadia’s and her family’s GoFundMe.”
The Billings Family
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Missy shares: “My good friend is a hairdresser in the Palisades and they lost their home in the Palisades fire. They came to LA in 2020 during the pandemic to try and start fresh and now lost everything only to find themselves needing to start over again in less than five years.”
Ed, Gina and Lulu Watson
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Sarah shares: “As you may know, many Black GoFundMes are not getting the level of attention and support as other families. Altadena had a huge Black community who owned homes for 50, 60 etc. years and created generational wealth for those families. Imagine a home lost after 50 years of memories, Christmases, baptisms, tooth fairy visits and generations having lived there. My friend’s cousin is one of those families.”
Marisa and Lyric’s In-Home Daycare
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Caroline shares: “An old friend’s child attended this in-home daycare. No insurance. She was in the process of moving into a larger space but it also burnt down.”
The Sandbloom Family
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Danielle shares: “My immediate family has been affected by the Altadena Eaton fire. My cousin's father's home has burned down. Kevin Sandbloom (father) makes his living as a musician and his entire home studio was lost with his home. Graehme (my cousin), 24, is a teacher in the area and was at his mother's (my aunt) house, but he grew up in the home. Kevin also has a young daughter Isla, 11, who lives with him but thankfully she was at her mother's house and is safe. Kevin only had a few minutes to evacuate and was able to save his pets, but little else. I'm hoping to help get visibility to his GoFundMe to help them get back on their feet.”
The Espinoza Family
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Chris shares: “We lost two homes in the Eaton fire. We do affordable housing and have eight homes in the Pasadena/Altadena area. I legit know this family. They have been our tenants for 44 years. They were the original family in that house so have raised their kids and we’ve watched them all grow up and they lost everything — 44 years of family mementos, home and family life are gone. We feel helpless as we have no other affordable housing to put them in and we are also reeling from the loss of the two homes that burnt as well. It’s been a really tough week in LA! Both my husband and I were born and raised here and we’ve never experienced anything like what happened last week!”
Victoria Valentino
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Lauren shares: “My friend Victoria lost her home and senior cat in the fires. It’s so tragic. Victoria is an incredible person, a fiercely outspoken victim’s rights advocate and a survivor. There is a GoFundMe started to help her rebuild. Additionally, I’m trying to find a mover that would donate their services to help her move a 10x12 storage unit, that was thankfully in an area of LA that was untouched, to North Carolina where she will rebuild her life with her daughters and grandchildren. At this time Lugg can only donate their services for local moves (FYI for anyone that might have that need, an incredible offer). …If you or the SMT community have any leads to a long distance mover that could donate a move, please let me know! My email is Lauren.Kleiman@gmail.com.”
Ms. Desiree
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Heather shares: “I’m sending the GoFundMe page for our dear, sweet Miss Desiree, a preschool teacher at Altadena Nursery School, who lost her home to the Eaton Fire. She has three children (the oldest is in his first year of college and just bought a used car, which was left outside the house and burned in the fire, too). She is lovely, kind, patient, artistic, a calming presence and all you would ever want for your child when heading off to preschool. She is a bright light and has great vintage style. One thing she is most sad about is losing so many vintage pieces she has collected over time.”
Kédra
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Alison shares: “My neighbor Kédra moved to Altadena two weeks before the fires, and she lost everything, her house, her computer, work equipment, childhood photos — everything. She has a GoFundMe and if you could share it with the SMT community it would be so appreciated.”
Harold and Christine
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Kelly shares: “My cousin’s wife and her parents lost their home in Altadena in the Eaton fire. They had been there for 34 years. Christine is currently battling breast cancer, and Hal recently had both knees replaced, so it’s just a lot. I’m sure there are so many others with similar stories, it’s all so sad.”
The Fowler Family
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Jessica shares: “Altadena is my hometown, but I currently live in Redwood City. My parents, uncle and brother still live in Altadena and we have countless friends impacted. I’ve known Jimmy since he was 8 or 9. He is my first cousin’s best friend and like a son to my aunt. My cousin lived next door so having Jimmy join me and my brothers to play was common for me growing up. He is a kind and thoughtful person, who is always at our family gatherings. He is kind of like another cousin for me. He is an actor and teacher. Not only did they lose their home but they also lost his place of employment. So this fire took away everything. The home has been in his family for generations and he shared it with his mother.”
Nicole and Wyatt
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Stephanie shares: “One of my former students from when I taught at Immaculate Heart (yes, Meghan’s Alma mater!!) has lost everything. Nicole and Wyatt were both born and raised in LA. They've been together for 10 years and plan to be married in March. Together, they have a dog named June. Nicole and Wyatt called the Palisades their home for 5+ years and are now coping with the devastation of losing their home and determining what next steps will be as newlyweds. Thank you for whatever kind of support you’re able to provide.”
Olivia, Bergen, Grant and Oona
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Angeline shares: “I lived in Altadena for 7 years and moved to Denver only 3 months ago, so this devastation is so close to my heart. The first home my husband and I bought as a couple is completely gone. Olivia and Bergen lived next door to us in Altadena, and when I had my daughter, they were so gracious to invite us over into their home, which was a play oasis for kids in the neighborhood to stroll on in. They were out of town in London when the fires broke out, so they weren't even able to go into the house to save any of their belongings.”
The Germond and Ramage Families
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Dori shares: “I am sharing a GoFundMe for a member of my community in Amador County. Her parents, the Ramages, lost their home in Altadena. This fundraiser covers not only her parents but her aunt and uncle who also lost their home in Altadena.”
Warya, Wati, Jun & Devi
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Monica shares: “Our close family friends lost their beloved Altadena home in the Eaton fire. They came to the U.S. from Indonesia 34 years ago and built the most beautiful life here through incredibly hard work and perseverance. Their home in Altadena ‘was their pride and joy—a reflection of their love and dedication,’ as their GoFundMe explains. ‘They filled it with life, creating a beautiful garden, completing DIY projects, and hosting unforgettable family celebrations.’ They weren’t home when the evacuation notice went out so they unfortunately didn’t have a chance to pack or save a single thing from the house they shared with their son and his wife.”
The Effron Zemlak Family
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Karen shares: “My dear friend Jill Effron and her family were evacuated from their Pacific Palisades home and, although it is miraculously still standing, it is so severely smoke-damaged they will never be able to return to it. As you can see from their GoFundMe campaign page, Jill and her family are not only grappling with the loss of their home, but also the loss of her husband Jon Zemlak’s job last month, and helping their children, Avery, a graduating senior at Palisades Charter High School (more on the damage to that school here), and Logan, a rockstar of a young man with significant special needs, acclimate to their new situation.”
The Reeser Family
Click to donate: GoFundMe, Amazon Wish List, Target Wish List (lists updated regularly)
Brooke shares: “My sister is a middle school math specialist at a school in Pasadena. She is an incredible teacher whose students absolutely adore her. She and her husband, Matt, have a seven year old son, John. They saved to buy their first home for over 15 years and finally found their sweet home in Altadena in August of 2023. They were heartbroken to find out they lost their home in the Eaton fire. John has autism and has a severe attachment to his belongings and his home. This loss has been extremely difficult for him to process. It’s so devastating to see my nephew so stressed at such a young age. He’s been making heartbreaking comments like ‘I guess nothing lasts forever.’ I’d like to share their GoFundMe and their Amazon and target wish lists. Thankfully, we found them an apartment so we are working hard to get them set up there in the coming weeks.”
Ash and Kati
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Morgan shares: “My dear friend Kati moved into her forever home in Altadena with her husband and two young boys (Bowie and Milo) two weeks before the Eaton fires burned it down. Kati was the friend who made sure to get me out of the house when I was suffering from postpartum depression — we went to Descanso Gardens and she walked with me while my newborn daughter cried for hours. I'll never be able to thank her enough. I'm doing everything I can to help her family, including amplifying her family’s effort to get back on their feet.”
The Page Hernández Family
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Tess shares: “Daniela is an immigration attorney who volunteered her time for my asylum-seeker program at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. A few years after working together, where she donated her time to refugees week after week, I looked next to me as I pushed my daughter on the swings at our daycare. It was Daniela! Our daughters are the same age and go to school together. She is an attorney, a mom, and after giving her time to a worthy cause for so many years, I hope I can ask others to help her now. Her family’s home burned to the ground in Altadena.”
Aveson Charter Schools
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Liz shares: “My brother and his family in Pasadena have been affected. While their house is still standing (thank goodness), the kids’ elementary school has burned down. I’m including the GoFundMe link for their school. Any contributions would be so helpful. This is not a typical elementary school. The kids who attend get an incredible opportunity for education outside the classroom. I was heartbroken to hear the school’s chickens were killed in the fire.”
Odyssey Charter School
Click to donate: GoFundMe
Sara shares: “My heart broke last week when the amazing, dedicated, resilient, and racially and socioeconomically diverse elementary and middle school I work for sustained catastrophic damage during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, and many of our families lost their homes. This week I've hugged families and students as they cry, and then in the next breath they ask how they can help others in our community. Teachers who have lost their homes are still showing up to support their students and plan for our future. For my sweet students who have lost so much in the past week, they are desperate for a sense of normalcy, and to be together with their teachers and friends while we navigate the trauma together. But to do this, we need help and we need donations so we can find a new location and resources to reopen quickly. Our school is not a building; our school is a community. Your help is deeply appreciated.”
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share. My thoughts are with everyone who is suffering such devastating losses. Please consider donating and/or sharing these link with your communities.
I will leave you with one more note, from Mary:
“I am in Altadena resident. Our home is a block from Eaton Canyon and was miraculously spared, although we’re still absolutely devastated for our special community and my many friends and neighbors who lost their homes and everything in them. I’m not sure that the greater public realizes that every Altadena resident is either currently without a home or indefinitely displaced. A glimmer of a silver lining is the helpers. There are so many wonderful community members with boots on the ground directly, helping our neighbors and friends. I want to highlight an organization my friend runs, Havens House Youth Services, in Altadena. They are providing essential items and monetary aid to families in our community, some of the recipients are educators who have lost both their homes and their classrooms.”
Thank you so much for doing this.
Thank you so much for helping organize this Elizabeth; you are always a blessing! My husband & I just donated to 4 of the fundraisers you listed & plan to donate to more over the next few weeks. Your community came together to help me raise money for my dad's funeral in 2022, so the least I can do is help them in their time of need.