Our dedicated tutor and retired Pasadena Unified School District School District teacher, Joan, lost everything in the Altadena Eaton Fire. We need your help getting her back on her feet. She’s given her entire adult life towards preparing our community’s children to be successful. Now it’s our chance to give back.

Joan was busy tutoring at Stepping Stones to Learning in San Marino as she has for over a decade, when the fire broke out. Not yet aware of where the fire was, we were closing early and sending everyone home because of the winds and area power outages. She raced home, her car buffeted by the high winds, to check on things. As she turned onto Altadena Drive from Washington she was confronted with chaos and began to realize the true disaster unfolding. It was shocking to see fire approaching her neighborhood, and the fire raged so quickly. She arrived home to see neighbors loading up their cars to evacuate. Luckily she had time to rescue her cat, Dexter, but beyond that, she can list all her belongings on a post it note.

Joan has resisted asking for help, knowing how many people need it after this horrible disaster. But we’ve convinced her she’ll need help with building back her life, much more than than a bit of insurance and public assistance will provide. Thankfully she’s given her permission for us to ask all of you to remember her lifelong, loving contributions to our children by giving back.

Please help Joan get back on her feet. She’s already back tutoring kids, once again turning her focus to helping others. Please show your dedication to our friend and lifelong teacher with a donation.