Dear Friends,

For over 20 years, we’ve called Altadena our home, renting an apartment where we’ve built our lives and made countless memories. Yet everything we’ve worked for was so quickly destroyed in the Eaton Fire. We have lost not only our cherished belongings, but also the sense of home and stability we’ve known for so long.

We are a hard-working blue-collar family, doing our best to make ends meet. My father suffered two injuries to his hand at work in late 2024. Despite undergoing surgeries, he still struggles to regain full function. My mother works as a contracted laborer, handling administrative office work. But business has been slow, making her hours and pay inconsistent. We are also supporting my brother who is a full-time student.

On top of all of this, my wife and I recently welcomed our newborn into the world. We are overjoyed by the addition to our family, but the overall strain on our resources in the aftermath of this tragedy is overwhelming. We are living on a limited income, and the fire has only made our situation more difficult.

As renters, we do not have access to recovery aid from insurance or any third-party assistance that homeowners have. However, we are blessed to have each other as a family to rely on.

In this time of need, we are turning to you, our friends and neighbors, with an earnest request for help. We would be most appreciative if you could support us in any capacity. Your generosity will go a long way in helping us regain our footing and provide for our family as we begin to rebuild our lives.

Sincerely,

The McClain Family