I’m writing this short message from my temporary home in Eagle Rock. The Eaton Fire destroyed our home, and most of our neighborhood, in Altadena on Tuesday, January 7th. Another former board member, Carolyn Barnes, also lost her home, although three other former HFS board members who were also in harm’s way, did not.
The HFS staff has reached out to HFS alumni families who live in the areas affected by the fires, and we’ll have a report about them in the coming months.
I wanted to acknowledge the parish of Saint Mark’s Altadena, which held a fundraiser for HFS last October. Saint Mark’s also lost its entire campus, with the lone exception of its brand-new pre-school building. Many parish members of Saint Mark’s who are supporters of HFS, including the Morse and Rothwell families, and Jannette Allen; as well as long-time HFS supporter Paula Kelly; also lost their homes. There may well be others who we’ve yet to hear from.
Along with thousands of residents of Altadena and Pacific Palisades who have lost their homes and much of their communities, we are heartbroken, but not without hope. We grieve, but we also have work to do, and people to serve. The work of rebuilding our communities begins now. For all of our alumni families and donors who have been affected even tangentially by the fires, know that HFS is here for whatever support is needed.
Pictured: Three ceramic pieces that my grandmother Rose made in the 1960s that survived the fire.
Marianne Wright
Board President, HFS