A few days before Christmas, 2024, my mom, Elsa van der Laaken, moved into her new retirement home, the Terraces at Park Marino, in Altadena, CA. The photo was taken on Christmas Day at the patio overlooking Eaton Canyon. I spoke with her on Christmas Day, and she was so excited about her new place and the beautiful views.

On Tuesday evening, January 7th, she got a knock on her door and was told she had to evacuate immediately. The Eaton fire had started just 1 mile north of her new home, was moving at an incredible speed down the canyon, and they had little warning to get to safety. With just the clothes she was wearing and her walker, volunteers and first responders helped her to a bus where she and other residents were taken to an emergency shelter at the Pasadena Convention Center. My sister and family picked her up from there a few hours later. That night, the retirement home burned down, and she lost everything.

I spoke with her the next day, and she was still in shock but in relatively good spirits. You don't realize how little things like not having your eyeglasses, your prescriptions, or even a clean pair of underwear make life so difficult. We are very fortunate to have family nearby and that my mom is safe. But now we need to help her rebuild and restock. She needs clothes, some comforts, and some things she can call her own. After all, she is getting tired of wearing her grandson's clothes! I am starting this fundraiser to help her get essentials. In due course, she will also be posting an Amazon wish list. Yes, we were able to get her logged into her Amazon account! Donations to this fundraiser will be transferred to my mom. Thank you all for reaching out and asking how you could help!

Dirk ter Veer