Dear donors,

Because of your support over the past several months, we have been able to help so many older adults who have been impacted by the Eaton Fire. We wanted to share a few stories with you, our heartfelt supporters. 

On Monday, Camilla Rambaldi reported on Pasadena Village's response to the fire on NBC4 News at 6 PM.  She interviewed Bridget Brewster about the impact of the Eaton Fire on older adults. View the segment on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=-l8AT5MCF_XVk6Wr&v=aIzaXcjJZUw&feature=youtu.be 

And here you can read how Pasadena Village is providing individual, personalized support to two other older adults: 

Patti

Patti is a single older adult who initially evacuated to the Convention Center, then on to temporary accommodation, and now has moved into a furnished apartment. She said, "It has taken some time to realize that my home is a total lost. My first shock was a simple need for a pair of tweezers and then the realization that all of those little and not so little every day things that we take for granted are gone.  But I'm so blessed to have family and friends that care about me and that I will come through this experience, hopefully, a better person."

Due to the Relief Fund, we were able to provide Patti a $300 gift card within 5 days of the start of the fire, helping her purchase items that she needed when she was waiting to hear about the status of her home. A few days later, she found out her home was destroyed. She received additional funds, and the option to access therapy at no cost to her with a licensed therapist through a partnership with Foothill Family. She joined the Phoenix Rising Group facilitated by fellow older adult and retired social worker Wayne April that meets twice a month. 

Vetted IT volunteers continued to offer Patti technologic support and identified a portable external hard drive that worked for her needs. They also helped her create an Amazon WishList so she could select other items to help make her temporary accommodation feel a little more like home. Due to the fund, Pasadena Village was able to send the hard drive, clocks, kitchen items, lights and small appliances directly to her door in early February.

Audy

Audy’s house is damaged due to the Eaton Fire and winds. It is amazing it is still standing as the one next to it burned to the ground. The clean up is going to be extensive with ash and smoke infiltrating the interior and insulation. Audy, her husband, 2 of her daughters, and 2 infant grandchildren are all displaced.

Audy’s car and her husband’s truck both had car seats for the little ones but they were covered in ash and unusable. In addition to gift cards, Pasadena Village purchased two new car seats so they could again transport the grandchildren. Pasadena Village volunteers also collaborated with the nonprofit Connect 2 Rise to create a gift basket of donated baby items delivered in person by a volunteer driver to the hotel where they were staying. 

Audy needed help organizing the extensive paperwork involved in her insurance claim and the recovery process. Volunteer Suzi Hoge acquired an Out of the Ashes Home Loss File System from a San Diego nonprofit organization. She worked 1:1 with Audy on how to use the filing system, and volunteers continue to help her navigate this long recovery process. 

Thank you so much for making this possible for Bridget, Audy, and Patti as well as the many others who are dealing with the aftermath of this disaster. It means so much!

Katie Brandon

Executive Director

Pasadena Village

The number of Villagers who have lost homes to the Eaton Fire now exceeds 20 and many more older adults remain displaced. While the reality of the devastation this fire has left behind is upon us, we are also in awe of the strength and resilience of our community of older adults and amazed by the generosity exhibited by so many at this time. We’ve received kind words and donations from individuals, organizations and fellow Villages nationwide. 

Your donation is providing immediate relief to the older adults impacted in our community. We have distributed gift cards, computers, air purifiers, essential equipment, and meals to affected Villagers. Older adults also have access to sessions with a licensed therapist at no cost. We are continuing to find ways to provide flexible, personalized assistance to older adults affected by this disaster because of your generosity.

If you would like to request a printed letter thanking you for your donation for your records or tax purposes, please send your mailing address to info@pasadenavillage.org with the subject line “Relief Fund TY Request”

Thank you again for your support and generosity!