Update: It's been more than three months since the

Eaton fire, three times Annie, Alex, Theo, and Olivia have had to pack up there r belongings and move to yet another airbnb. And as of now they are still not back in their home. Being one of the homes left standing has riddled them with survivors guilt, and at the same time frustration and anxiety with the lack of guidances on how to move forward while keeping their family safe. They are on their third adjuster and have still not been given any definitive answers on what will be covered or denied by their insurance provider. Now Annie and Alex are faced with the reality that they will have to pay out of pocket to keep their family safe. With Theo's autoimmune disease, Olivia being so young and all of the unknowns surrounding the long term health effects of urban wildfire smoke, ash, and soot, they have been placed in one of the most stressful situations they have ever faced.

Like so many in Altadena, my sister Annie has been devastated by the Eaton Canyon fire. She and her husband Alex saved for years to buy their first home on Altadena Dr. They lived there happily for 6 years raising their kids Theo(8) and Olivia (4) while caring for our Mom, three senior dogs, and two rescue cats. It all came to a crashing halt on the evening of Jan 7th.

They had to evacuate with no warning, dodging fallen trees and debris with only the orange, smoky glow of the fire to light the way. My niece and nephew witnessed what can only be described as a war zone, and Annie is left with no words when they ask when they can go home.

Though the fire started across from their home, miraculously the house is still standing. While they are grateful it was spared when so many were not, they are still faced with months (at best) of displacement - months of instability for their kids as they make do in hotel rooms and airbnbs scrambling to replace clothes, toys, and all their belongings, months without a dual income as Annie takes a leave of absence from nursing to navigate the headaches of insurance and the impossible task of planning for an unknown future. It’s a daunting and overwhelming road home, yet in the mist of this personal turmoil they have made time for the community they love so much - helping to rebuild Theo’s school (Odyssey Charter), his cub scout troop, and his local baseball league.

I know they are only one family suffering in a tight-knit beautiful community that has been ravaged, but on behalf of Annie, Alex, Olivia, and Theo, we kindly and humbly ask for any help you can give.