Support the Kennedys: Recovering from Eaton Fire

My name is Jeannette Illsley from Seattle WA and this is a fundraiser for our dear family friends the Kennedy family. My husband Pete used to work with Brett at JPL. This post is in collaboration with another close friend, Emily Newman from the UK.

At the start of January, Natalia, Brett, their two spectacular daughters and family dogs escaped safely from the devastating fires in Altadena, California. They accomplished this while demonstrating incredible kindness towards their neighbors, appreciation for those who ensured their safety and gratitude for each other.

Their beautiful neighborhood was utterly destroyed. Their home is gone. The scale of the devastation from the Eaton Fire is impossible to comprehend. And, as any of us would do, they evacuated having packed for just a few days, hopeful to return home quickly once the fire danger had passed.

In the face of this catastrophe, Natalia, Brett and the girls continue with hope for the future. No challenge will stand in their way.

But there is much to be accomplished and great effort ahead for Natalia, Brett and the girls in the coming months. They need time to grieve and simultaneously have so much work to do to begin to make life feel normal again. The scale of displaced families is going to pose very real problems in housing-constrained Los Angeles. Our support will make all the difference in their ability to move quickly to a temporary home, to gather items of comfort, to feel safe and healthy again.

Please consider supporting them. Gifts made here go directly to them for use to meet immediate needs not covered by insurance or emergency services. They have always embraced and supported the friends, family and community that they have built in California and beyond, and we can help them recover. Donate if you are able or share this link with friends who may be considering how to help.

Thank you.

Jeannette and Emily