Long-Time Malibu Family Lost Everything

Team fundraiser

Carol Bretonne and 3 others are organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

We've lost absolutely everything in the Woolsey/Malibu fire. We are long-time residents, we bought our house back in 1992 and it was the oldest house in that part of Malibu Park, built in 1949. We raised our 3 children here, Kelsey, Kristen, and John Pietro, all graduated from Malibu High. Our family includes Carol (you may know her from her 23 years at Malibu Hardware and Lumber), Brian (previous operator of the Zuma Beach General Store), and Jennifer (mother and wife, known for her contributions to the community consulting and networking, including formerly running the Boys and Girls Club, and often spotted walking her giant black and white dog, Beau, along the beach).

It turns out that when your ENTIRE home burns down, you aren't allowed to rebuild until you have cleared out and cleaned up all the debris (and there is a lot of burnt stuff). And the insurance doesn't provide any coverage for debris removal. Our family loves us, but they just don't have the means to clear the lot (which means we can't make a new home). Also we kind of sorta need a new fence since the old one basically evaporated.

Plus, we used to rent out part of our place which made up about a third of our limited senior income. So the fire took a big bite out of our budget.

Anything you could spare to help us out would be most appreciated. We are staying with our 93 year-old grandmother now (with our 4 big dogs and 4 cats) but our huge crew is getting to be a bit much for her to handle.

Thanks so much for considering helping us and lots of hugs, slobbery puppy and kitten kisses, and so much love are going out to all those who lost so much in the fires.