Dozens of organizations gathered to serve Altadena community members affected by the devastating Eaton fire are seeking volunteers and donors to support their continued efforts.
Eaton Fire Collaborative is an initiative made up of around 75 organizations dedicated to helping to recover and rebuild what they lost in the January fire. Its mission is to “provide coordinated responses and clear communication so that resources, support and information reach the people and organizations where it is most needed,” it states on its website.
Victor Anap, one of several members of the initiative, said part of the effort includes outreach to inform residents of available support.
“We are about to reach the fire survivors, which requires the help and resources that are still trying to decide where to go to get help,” she said.
Not only is Knapp a part of the group, he is also the chairman of the Altadena Town Council and one of the thousands of people who lost their homes in the fire.
“There really is no word in English that touches the depth and breadth of devastation to see your home diminished to tile rub,” she said.
Amara Ononoiu, who represents the faith, leads the collaboration and coordinates resources to make sure they are given to the households they need.
“What we’re trying to do here is to make sure we’re reviewing the information so people can move forward because it was a challenge,” Ononiu said. “Debris removal, insurance questions, all of these things, we’re different, so we’re dealing in different jurisdictions. That’s a difficult situation. We have cities and we have the same county jurisdiction.”
The Altadena man who survived Eton Fire describes the stairs he took to make his home a fire resistant before the fire that destroyed much of his community. Lolita Lopez is reporting an NBC4 News report on Monday, March 17th, 2025 at 5pm.
Part of the reconstruction effort is fostering a sense of community to remind residents who have support when necessary.
“I just told two friends who live in other parts of the country that I have moved,” Knap said. “And as someone going through this, it’s very difficult. We can’t do this ourselves.”
Organizers continue their work to support the community, but they hope that volunteers can give time to the cause and donate funds and products to support residents.
“So, whatever your particular skill set is, what time you have, they’ll take it,” Knap said. “And I encourage people to go to the collaborative website and decide how they can get involved.”
Click here to learn more about Eaton Fire Collaborative and how to join.
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