Help the Bekaert family recover after the LA wildfires

Dear friends, family, and kind strangers,

We are the Bekaert family—David, Sarah, Theo (7), and Emile (4). Today, we are reaching out during the most challenging chapter of our lives. The Eaton Fire has devastated our community, leaving our family displaced and navigating an uncertain future.

Our home stands just outside the fire’s perimeter—a miracle amidst the destruction. However, the damage to the surrounding area and the toxic aftermath have made it unsafe and inaccessible for months. Adding to our hardship, the back house we relied on for rental income is now uninhabitable, and our children's school has been forced to close indefinitely. These disruptions have left us emotionally shaken and financially strained.

The fire’s impact has been especially hard on Theo and Emile. They’re struggling to comprehend this upheaval, and we are committed to supporting their mental health and ensuring they continue to feel safe, loved, and secure. Currently, we are staying in a spare bedroom generously offered by friends, but far from our extended family and adding a grueling daily commute. While we are incredibly grateful, being without our own space has been exceptionally challenging.

We have come to the realization that we will need more help than we ever wanted to ask for. Here, we humbly ask for your support to help us address the many aspects of recovery and support our family through this crisis. The funds raised will go toward urgent, uncovered expenses through other sources.

Our goal is to raise $50,000 to cover these critical needs and give our family the stability to begin healing. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make an impact. If you are unable to donate, sharing our story or offering words of encouragement means the world to us.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our journey to recovery. Your kindness and generosity give us hope during this dark time. Together, we will rise stronger.

With love and gratitude,

David, Sarah, Theo, and Emile