Eaton Fire Relief for Jazzercise Pasadena Members

As the Eaton Fire tragically swept through the Altadena and Pasadena communities, 8 members of Jazzercise Pasadena lost homes. Their Jazzercise and personal stories are below. We hope to help alleviate some of the financial strain as they navigate this emotional time.

I am Merria Velasco, the nearby owner of Jazzercise LA (Culver City and Northridge locations), and am coordinating the fundraising efforts with Claudia Acri, owner of Jazzercise Pasadena. Our goal is to split the funds 8 ways between each of the deeply impacted Jazzercise members.

Join us as well for a fundraiser class in their honor on Saturday, January 25th at 8:30am at the Boys and Girls Club: 3230 E. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107 - participation is donation based, and we hope to lift up our Jazzer-sisters!

The stories of our 8 Jazzercise members who lost homes in the Eaton Fire:

Kathy Dawson: As a Jazzercise instructor, Kathy has been teaching for 8 years. She has been a Jazzercise enthusiast for 29 years, taking class in Virginia where she lived for many years. Kathy has also been a loyal sub for Claudia Acri at Jazzercise Pasadena, particularly the past few years which allowed Claudia to spend needed time in Carlsbad with her aging parents. Kathy and her husband, Jose, unfortunately lost their home in the Eaton Fire on Tuesday, January 7th.

Nina Adams: a Jazzerciser in Pasadena for over 14 years. Sadly, Nina and her husband lost their home in the Eaton Fire. Nina bought her home in Altadena when she was 19 years old, owning it for over 55 years. Besides being an active dancer in class, Nina has a wonderful artistic talent of making beautiful greeting cards that she has shared with all of us at Jazzercise.

Sharon Dunn: Class Manager for 39 (!!) faithful years, Sharon has helped Claudia manage her classes throughout the Jazzercise Pasadena locations. Sharon lost a home in the Altadena Fire, and her personal home barely survived the fire whereas all the other houses around hers were completely destroyed.

Sandy Goodenough: A newer participant to Jazzercise Pasadena, Sandy has been a local member for two years. She divides her time between East coast and west coast. Tragically, Sandy’s home in Altadena was a casualty in the Eaton Fire.

Andie Healy: A 13 year Jazzerciser with Claudia, Andie is a very active participant in class. Besides losing their home, Andie also lost her business location on her property. Andie is a very accomplished hat maker, particularly fascinators, which Andie has presented all over the world. Andie also lost her beloved chickens that held a very special place in her heart, and is heartbroken on so many levels.

Antoinette Miller: A member of Claudia’s classes for 8 years, Antoinette is a faithful Jazzerciser, attending evening classes. During the day, Antoinette works as an audiologist at Glendale Adventist Hospital. Antoinette sadly lost her home in Altadena, with 6 neighbors on their street due to the Eaton Fire.

Kimberly Munson Nickelson: A longtime, dedicated member of Jazzercise Pasadena for over 42 years! Kimberly lost her home in the Eaton Fire, a home that was built by her grandfather, with assistance from her father as well. When not dancing at Claudia’s classes, Kimberly teaches her jewelry making classes and also makes her own jewelry at her home in her studio that was also lost in the fire. Happily, on January 8th, Kimberly became a new grandmother to a sweet baby boy in Norway.

Dr. Vallorie Saulsberry: Dr. Val, as she is known at Jazzercise, has been a practicing OB/GYN for over 40 years. She has been a longtime member of Claudia’s classes, dancing along for 26 years. Dr. Val lost two homes in the Eaton Fire, an unimaginable tragedy.