My youngest daughter has been close friends with Sienna Smith since kindergarten/first grade. One of the many results of their friendship is how my husband and I have come to know and care about Sienna’s parents, Jay and Senaida. They are not only good people and parents, they are natural givers. To know them is to see this firsthand.

The first time I met Jay at a school event, he expressed his appreciation for Walden and wanted to know if he and Senaida could lend their support in some way. Fast-forward a couple years, and Jay had joined me on the Board of Trustees to lend his voice and vision to decisions that will fortify Walden for a long time to come.

Later, when my in-laws suffered a terrible car crash, Senaida arrived at our front door with an abundance of prepared meals. It was a grace we didn’t know we needed, and it allowed us to devote all our time and energy to the accident’s aftermath.

Jay and Senaida had only recently moved in to their new home in Altadena. Holiday decorations went up while they were still unpacking boxes. Then came the unthinkable. True to his nature, Jay remained focused and thought of others, and after the family evacuated with only their pets and the clothes on their backs, he went to work relocating the many elderly & disabled residents his business cares for.

These are just a few examples of the thoughtful, community-oriented people Jay and Senaida are. I hope that those of you reading would consider repaying this kindness. They’re starting all over from almost nothing. Giving even a little gives a lot.

Thank you!

-Inga Kleinrichert