Help Mithani family rebuild after Eaton Fire

Hi all,

It’s Jasmine Mithani. Like many, many people, my parents Mike and Janell Mithani lost their home in the Eaton Fire that decimated Altadena, CA, their community of nearly three decades. I snapped the photo in the top right while my parents ran into the house to grab important documents. I didn’t know a picture taken through the windshield of an idling car would be the last one.

We are lucky; everyone is alive and safe. After initially staying with me, my parents (and sweet three-legged cat Shiloh) are in temporary housing. We were able to visit the ashes of our family home and see that somehow, miraculously, my mom’s art studio — and the fruit trees — survived.

The future is uncertain and recovery is going to be a years-long process. Our lives are changed forever. So many friends and family have reached out asking how to help, and I am raising money for my parents to help us navigate the difficult time ahead: supporting our health during hazardous cleanup, replacing lost income, all the incidentals we can’t fathom having to plan for and the costs exceeding or not covered by federal disaster relief.

It is hard for us to ask for help when it feels so many others are worse off. The fires struck at random, fully intact houses next to smoldering remains. We appreciate any contribution towards our future, and ask that people only give what they can comfortably part with. There will be many non-monetary ways to help too.

Any funds we do not use we will pass on to others in need or groups organizing to help Eaton Fire survivors.

We love you lots.

Jasmine, Mike, Janell and Shiloh

Me sifting through what used to be the living room without appropriate PPE.

My dad and I surveying the damage.

Shiloh posing under the Christmas tree in December 2024.