Fire Took Ebony's Family Home, They Need Us

My name is Melanie. I have a small cosmetic company and a shop in Nashville, TN.Ebony McClendon has been my employee for over 10 years. She moved across the country with us to stay with the company. I trust her with everything; she manages both of my companies. She is the kindest, sweetest, most hardworking gal that I was lucky to find. She is very close to her family, and since we have worked together for so long, I, of course, feel I know her family too.

On 1/8/25, her mom and aunt lost the family home in Altadena, CA, to the horrific fires that have been sweeping through towns and cities. The home was originally bought by her grandma, who passed in 2017, leaving it to the family. This home was the hub for the whole family, full of everyone’s childhood memories. Her mom and aunt, with medical conditions, lived in the home. They were awakened by the fire department at 4 in the morning to evacuate. Her aunt has a very hard time walking, and they had just enough time to get in the car. As you can see by the picture, they lost everything. My heart is broken. Ebony and her family are devastated.

I'm starting this GoFundMe to help them with everything! This will be a very long process. They were already on a very tight budget; now they need to find a place to live and all the everyday basics from clothes, kitchen needs, furniture, beds, bedding, prescriptions, etc. — all the things you can imagine. If you can find it in your heart to donate anything you can, they will be beyond appreciative. Thank you so much in advance!