Hi, my name is Erik. I am the younger brother of my amazing sister, Britta.

My sister has built a life and home for herself, despite numerous and harrowing life setbacks. She staunchly stayed true to herself, her loved ones, and the community, including in her work in public service for all of her professional life. Through great effort, she built an amazing home for herself in Los Angeles, CA. She lives with her caring partner, Michael, and her absolutely adorable cat, Boudica.

I am making this GoFundMe because my sister's apartment was abruptly burned to the ground in the recent devastating wildfires that swept through her town of Altadena, California - the entire apartment has been destroyed. She, her boyfriend, and her cat had to flee their home in minutes in response to a sudden mandatory evacuation order after the breakout of the Eaton fires. Her home was a work of deep care for herself and those close to her, and she worked tirelessly to build something deeply meaningful to those she cared about. She invited me there just this last winter, to share a Christmas that brought me back to those of our youth.

She gathered numerous heirlooms and mementos of our lives and our family to chronicle all our shared history, including the original photos and cherished belongings of our passed mother and grandparents. All of this, and all of Britta’s other possessions, were destroyed by the wildfire.

While we can’t replace the unique items from our history, any amount raised can immediately help Britta, Michael, and Boudica start the long process of getting themselves back on their feet after the fires, including resupplying the necessities and incidentals for day-to-day living and navigating the next steps of this process. For example, this fund will be used immediately to help with temporary housing and meal costs, restocking toiletries and medication, pet care, and replacing any professional wardrobe that she relies on for her work. In the long term, it may also help with greater expenses such as permanent housing or her car, which she had to leave behind and it is uncertain if it can be repaired or must be replaced.

I am asking that if anyone has the ability to spare anything at all to help her start to get back on her feet, I would be eternally grateful for your generosity. Anything counts, anything will help.

Even if you’re not able to donate, sharing this campaign will help us reach more people who can help.