<div>On January 8th, 2025- The Wellema Hat Co was burned to the ground in one of the many LA fires.


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<div>This wasn't just a business, but more like a home and a true legacy to the Wellema family. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of merchandise, equipment, materials and other items gone.


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<div>Having started in 2013 out of their one bedroom apartment in Santa Barbara, Wellema Hat Co was created and inspired by old photographs, collections of vintage clothing and nostalgic to when things were made differently and life was lived more simply. Cody and Shelby took $200 from their savings to get materials for the first hats Cody would make. He sold those hats and with that, invested the money into more materials and continued to do so until the business grew. Wellema Hat Co became a home and landmark in 2016 in Altadena, CA where they opened their first shop and built everything off hard work, dedication, blood, sweat and tears. The Wellemas' never took out loans. Cody built everything from the ground up with his passion and strong work ethic, earning the admiration of his community, hat collectors and even celebrities.


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<div>Inside the Wellema Hat Co was over 100 year old materials that Cody had been sourcing for years in hidden part of the country. Vintage ribbons, vintage hats, 100 year old wood blocks for forming custom hats- you name it- none of which can be replaced. Hundreds of thousands of dollars lost, but mostly- it was the Wellemas' sole income for their family of 5, as well as the income for their loyal employee who helped Cody run the shop.


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<div>When the Wellemas' found out they were expecting their 3rd child in 2023, Cody started working on ways to grow and expand their humble business in hopes of being able to buy a home for their family down the road...


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<div>Recently, Cody had invested thousands of dollars into the company to offer more options, vintage items and to rework the shop to make it more consumer friendly. They even had their 10 year anniversary party in November to show off the new renovations and the entire Altadena community rallied around them in support!


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<div>To say this loss has been devastating for the Wellema family is an understatement. All of Cody's hard work, Shelby's support and sacrifice and the legacy for their children feels as though is gone in an instant.


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<div>They are currently evacuated from their Pasadena home and are not only grieving the loss of their business, but praying for their home to remain safe as well.
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<div>This fund has been set up to help with monthly expenses for their family of 5 while they get back on their feet. They will also use some of these funds to support Maddie, who has been supporting the business full-time for years and is an extension of their Wellema family. These funds will go towards the hope of rebirthing the creativity and beauty that Wellema Hat Co once was.<br />
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<div>They wanted to add: "To our Altadena community: we do not expect anything from you all. Please just focus on staying safe and staying hopeful."


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<div>Please share this with your friends and family to help rally around and support The Wellema Family.


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<div>If you prefer to support them outside of GoFundMe (to reduce a % of $ being taken), please reach out to Cody or Shelby directly for their Zelle and/or Venmo account info to donate to them.


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<div>This fund was created by Shelby's godsister, Jessica on behalf of the Wellema family and their Altadena business as they grieve and try to figure out what comes next.


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<div>The entire Wellema Family thanks you for your love, support and prayers during this time.


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S Russell Smith III

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curtis manchester

Brita Womack

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Help the Wellema Hat Co Family After LA Fires

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