Dearest Blanca and Family Displaced by Tragic Fire

Dear friends, family, and generous strangers,

A true nightmare, we got a call late last night from Blanca that she had lost everything in a tragic fire. Our best friend, honorary mom, and chosen family, along with her elderly husband Luis, son and grandchildren have been victims of a horrendous fire in their apartment in Melrose Hill. She and her family escaped out of a bathroom window while their pet birds and all of their belongings were trapped inside. Everything has burned to the ground, nothing is salvageable and they have little in savings to adjust to this tragic life change.

Blanca is a hero, a staple in her community and her local church. Her apartment has been a sanctuary for youth from her neighborhood, providing shelter, food, and clothes to make others more comfortable. She is nothing but kind, generous, and determined. Everyone close to us knows and loves her. Continuing to work as seniors, Blanca and Luis fight through arthritis and many other physical ailments from decades of hard labor and encounter several medical bills.

The idea of them restarting their lives after all they've built is heart-shattering to us. Blanca's cared for us since the day we were born. We are doing everything we can but need help to do this. I have recently lost my job, but I hope my friends and family can allow me to be a stream of support for her during this difficult time.

As of now, we're gathering what is left and awaiting information from investigations, seeking legal advice, and hoping to secure a safe place for them to stay. We’re hoping to fundraise for their immediate relocation as well as to secure long-term housing in a vicious rental market. Other hurdles include upcoming legal, translator and moving expenses, losing work while displaced, clothes, food and supplies. We want to get them back on their feet as quickly as possible as Los Angeles continues to become a financially uninhabitable place for many.

Please, please help us reduce the stressors of losing their precious home and their community of the last thirty years in this tragic way. Any amount counts – we are so deeply appreciative of you all.

Much love,

The Sarnoff family