Hi GoFundMe Family,

On January 7, 2025, my family and I were evacuated due to the Eaton fire, and we have not been able to return home since. While I am incredibly grateful that our home is still standing and that we have a place to return to, the damage caused by smoke has made it uninhabitable for now. The extensive cleaning required by SERVPRO will hopefully begin soon, but as a renter without renter’s insurance, I am facing a significant financial burden to replace almost all of our belongings.

Everything from our (4) mattresses, couches, all of my area rugs in every room, possibly my comforters and blankets to basic household necessities is unsalvageable. The only items I can truly recover are our clothes, which I’ve been able to wash at the laundromat. This sudden and unexpected loss has left me in a difficult position as I try to provide stability for myself and my kids during this time.

We’ve lived in our Altadena home for over 10 years, always feeling safe and blessed to have a wonderful landlady who genuinely cares about our family. Because of this, I never thought renter’s insurance would be necessary. Our neighborhood has always felt like a sanctuary where we could even leave the door open at all hours.

While I am grateful for the safety of my family and the hope of returning home someday, I can’t ignore the overwhelming survivor’s guilt I feel knowing that so many families have lost absolutely everything in this fire. My heart goes out to them, and I humbly ask for help to get my family back on our feet.

Any contribution, big or small, will go toward replacing the essential items we’ve lost and creating a sense of normalcy for my children and me. Your kindness, support, and generosity mean the world to us in this challenging time.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Michelle