Yvonne Garcia forgot to grab Mr. Guacamole.
In the rush of evacuating her home last week in Altadena, California, the mother of two didn’t think to pack her 13-year-old daughter’s beloved avocado toast Squishmallow stuffed animal. She thought the family would return to their home. When Garcia found out it burned to the ground last Tuesday, her daughter’s sadness at the loss of her fluffy companion only compounded the devastation.
“They kept asking, like, ‘Why me? Why us? Why is my stuff gone?” Garcia said of her daughter and 7-year-old son.
She couldn’t believe it when she saw a post on Instagram days later about a group of volunteers offering to find exact replacements for stuffed animals children lost in the fires. Less than 10 minutes after Garcia entered her information into the Google spreadsheet, someone had already reached out and ordered a stand-in c for Mr. Guacamole that was on its way to the family’s temporary address, at Garcia’s brother-in-law’s house in San Dimas.
“To think that someone, whether it’s far or close, could think about a child out there that lost absolutely everything, and want to send them something to just make them feel even slightly of home – that meant the world.”
The effort was organized by Ashley Reckdenwald, a physician’s assistant in New Jersey who runs a childcare community for parents called Working Mom Notes who hoped to help ease the burden of people who had lost everything in the Los Angeles wildfires.
Structures continue to burn on Jan. 8, 2025, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood after a wildfire broke out in Los Angeles County on Jan. 7.
As thousands have been displaced from their homes, community groups, businesses and individuals around the country like Reckdenwald have sought unique ways to support families in need – organizing stuffed animal drives, offering free therapy and raising funds for service workers who’ve lost their livelihoods.
Here’s a look at some innovative ways people are helping Angelenos in the wake of the wildfires.
Fund helps housekeepers, nannies who’ve lost jobs
Thousands of homes in the Pacific Palisades, Altadena and other areas were destroyed in the fires. Many people in service jobs who took care of those homes, including housekeepers, landscapers, nannies and homecare providers for seniors, are now without work.
The LA-based nonprofit One Voice launched a fund to support workers who have lost their livelihoods. All donated funds will go toward helping people who worked in these communities cover rent, food and necessities as they look to find new work, said Tanya Lopez Brooks, a founding board member for One Voice.
“We are taking the burden off the fire victims, and the families and we were looking to take the anxiety and the worry out for these people who just lost their jobs,” Brooks said. “It really is helping holistically the entire community.”
Firefighters continue to battle multiple wildfires in Southern California on Jan. 13, 2025, as Santa Ana winds were gaining strength Monday, hampering efforts to tamp down the explosion of fires that have killed at least 24 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.
Design experts offer aid with housing
The Expert, a home shopping marketplace that connects people with top designers, launched a hotline on Monday offering free one-hour video consultations for people who have lost their homes. More than 120 experts have donated over 950 hours to help people with concerns – questions about whether and where to rebuild, tips on best practices for building future homes and how to make temporary housing feel homier without spending a lot, said CEO Leo Seigal.
The company plans to create a public database of more than 300 housing experts – including designers, contractors, architects and other housing professionals – offering free or discounted services to people displaced by the fires.
Photographers help replace lost photos
Local photographers have offered their skills, free of charge, to people who lost priceless family photos in the wildfires, hoping to provide some solace and joy.
Rachel Gray, a family and wedding photographer from Malibu, is teaming up with hair and makeup artist Veronica Sinclair to offer complimentary maternity photoshoots for expectant mothers who lost their homes. She got her first call recently from a husband who wanted to give his 8-month pregnant wife a respite from the anguish of the fires but couldn’t afford a photoshoot.
“I just wanted to be able to provide a service to moms who have been displaced or lost their homes, just to bring joy to this moment, or to hold space for grief,” Gray said.
Sean Nguyen, 20, sifts through the remains of his familyÕs home in the Alphabet Streets of the Pacific Palisades, Calif. His father, Jack Nguyen, says his son is looking for his childhood teddy bear. ÒNone of the other stuff matters,Ó says Jack Nguyen. A wildfire on Jan. 7 destroyed much of this Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
Other photographers across the city, known for its thriving creative community, are lending their skills in similar ways. Andrew Max Levy, an LA-based photographer, posted an offer on Instagram Tuesday to shoot new family photos for anyone who lost them during the fires. The offer, he said, didn’t have an expiration date. His post reached around 500,000 people; and others in the industry, including film labs, producers and make-up artists, quickly began reaching out through his network to offer their services.
Escape to the movies
When the fires erupted in Altadena, owners of the nonprofit movie theater run by the Vidiots Foundation in nearby Eagle Rock knew people would need a space to take an emotional break from the devastation.
On Monday, after receiving a large donation from the production company Neon, Vidiots began screening movies for free to provide that outlet. They plan to continue through the end of the month, and likely into February.
“It was something we could really do for the younger people in our community, to get them out of the house, get them away from sadness for a little while,” said Maggie Mackay, executive director of Vidiots.
Other creative ways people are lending a hand:
LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund: The Getty Museum and a coalition of arts organizations have established a fund to support artists impacted by the fires.
Fund for the music community: The Recording Academy and nonprofit MusiCares launched a $1 million fund to assist fire victims who have worked in the music business for five years or longer.
Altadena Girls and Boys: An eighth-grade girl in Pasadena started the Altadena Girls donation drive which provides everyday essentials and luxury items for teenage girls who’ve lost their homes. This inspired a similar effort from boys in the area who are accepting donations of items for boys.
Free therapy: The boutique Call Your Fam is connecting people with therapists offering free sessions to fire victims. More than 800 therapists have signed up to provide free sessions. Those wanting the service can fill out this form.
Free moving service: The company Lugg is offering free moving services for people affected by the fires who need help relocating.
Vintage shop donating clothes: Quirk Vintage in LA is offering victims of the wildfires at least 10 free items of clothing. Their store is open all week, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Free grooming for furry friends: The pet salon Wag N’ Swag is hosting a day of free grooming services on Jan. 18 for the pets of first responders and those affected by the fires.
Hotel rooms for people and pets: The Stand Up For Pits Foundation is paying for 20 hotel rooms for three days for displaced people with pets. You can email them at info@standupforpits.us for more information.
Makeup donations: The local mutual aid group We Are Neighbors and Friends is collecting unused makeup and skin care products for Black and Brown people.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The unique ways aid is coming for victims of LA fires
