Help Kate and family rebuild after the Eaton Fire

Kate Schafer is our beloved high school biology teacher at the Sequoyah School, and anyone who knows Kate knows just how generous and kind she is to everyone who is part of her life. The same can be said about her daughter, Sophia, who is in the 11th grade at Sequoyah. Kate originally hails from Atlanta, GA, and prior to coming to Sequoyah, she taught at The Harker School in San Jose, where Sophia also attended for many years. Since her time with us, Kate’s passion for building programs that nurture community and connection across different grade levels has changed the entire Sequoyah school community for the better. Throughout her life, whether it’s here at Sequoyah, back east where she directs the summer program at the Children’s School of Science in Woods Hole, MA, or previously at The Harker School in San Jose, Kate has always offered connection and built community. As this fund-raiser has grown, many have reached out to attest to this family’s remarkable warmth and compassion for the communities who are lucky enough to know them.

Please consider helping Kate, her husband Ken, and Sophia as they begin to rebuild their lives after the devastating Eaton Fire. They have lost everything as their Altadena home burned to the ground. Like many, Kate, Ken, and Sophia had to evacuate at a moment's notice. Ken initially saw the fire in the neighborhood, drove home to get Kate and Sophia, and with the fire moving quickly through their neighborhood, left the home they cherished with their beloved dog, Amber, and the clothes on their backs.

We are calling upon all of Kate, Ken, and Sophia’s friends, family, and school communities to give what you can to help the Schafer-Whartons rebuild their lives. Funds raised are only for the amount the family will need to spend after FEMA aid. Every dollar counts, and all donations will go directly to Kate and her family so they may begin to return to a place of safety and security in their lives.

As the local community and the Schafer-Wharton family move through this tragedy in our beloved Los Angeles community, they appreciate all the help and support you can offer. Thank you for your donations as they navigate how to begin again after this devastating loss.

With gratitude,

Aimee Zvinakis & Calina Ciobanu, Pasadena, CA

Rachel Pearson, Woods Hole, MA

Lauri Vaughn & Diana Moss, San Jose, CA