Help My Family After Fire Loss in Altadena

Help My Grandmother Mary After Losing Everything in the Eaton Canyon/Altadena Fires

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers,

Grant and I are reaching out with a heavy heart on behalf of our beloved mother (Craig’s mom) and grandmother Mary, who recently experienced a devastating loss. The recent fires in Eaton Canyon/Altadena completely decimated her beautiful home of over 50 years on the corner of Altadena Drive.

She evacuated along with my aunts and my cousins from the home with nothing but her pajamas on. She lost everything. Her husband Jesse died in 2019. COVID happened and the world stood still while we grieved. Her son Craig died in 2023. We are still grieving these losses. We weren’t even finished organizing my father’s things and now EVERYTHING is gone. My grandfather is a veteran. His military service awards are gone. Everything is gone. My father is a veteran. His service records and awards are burned in the fire. Things I won’t say here, but like so many - we have lost unrecoverable things.

This home wasn’t just the family house to occasionally visit. My aunts and cousin have lived there for the majority of their lives and were living there now. They also lost everything. Our home was filled with decades of memories, laughter, and love. It was where Mary and my late grandfather Jesse raised most of, if not ALL, our family. My mother lived there before she and my father married when he went off to the Navy. It has been a sanctuary and a safe place. We are devastated.

We are alive. We have each other. Most importantly, we have God. This is why we have HOPE. In all these things - we YET have HOPE.

Starting over is overwhelming and takes fortitude. There’s really no amount we could ask for that would restore what we lost. We are simply asking for any amount you can contribute to assist us as we recover from this devastating time. We are determined to band together as a family and focus so we can get through this period. 

I waited to post this until I knew what Mom wanted to do. She misses her beloved Jesse who made a home for all of us for almost 50 years. Anyone who knew him, knew how much he loved his family. How he cared for his children and was a pillar to the community. There was no one he wouldn’t lend a helping hand. We will recover. Any assistance you give us here, will not be used to rebuild but will allow us to address many needs that are not covered by insurance or FEMA including supporting our neighbors who have also lost everything. Our once beautiful enclave looks like a war zone. We are truly heartbroken. 

I admire my grandmother so much because while we all grieve the loss, she remains resilient, a pillar of faith, strength, and grace as she encourages her children and grandchildren to keep going and see this through because we are not alone. God is still faithful and He will send us help to get through this process.

We are asking for your help as we begin the journey of recovery. Every contribution, no matter how small, will help to stabilize our family through unfortunate circumstance.

If you are unable to donate, we completely understand, but sharing this campaign with others would mean the world to us. Most of all - we request you PRAY. Pray for my grandmother, my family, and all those who have lost so much to these fires.

The Washington, Middleton, and Dabney Family thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your compassion, generosity, and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

With gratitude,

Penny and Grant