We are Connor and Sara Cipolla, proud Altadena residents and the parents of three small Altadenans. There are no words to describe the heartbreak we feel for our town’s losses.

When we look down our block or drive through the ruins of our neighborhood we can only ask HOW? How could this have happened and how did our home survive the night?

The morning after the Altadena Firestorm Connor watched the flames consume home after home on our block. With no water or way to fight back he assumed that our home would soon be engulfed in flames as well. Later that afternoon he returned to find our home and a handful of others still standing, but hardly safe. Armed with pool water, fire extinguishers, and shovels Connor, our neighbor Ed, and some friends spent the next 36 hours tirelessly trying to defend the remaining homes from stubborn flare ups, smoldering brush, flying embers, and rampant looters. Though they couldn’t save all the homes that were initially spared, half our block stands eager to welcome our neighbors to their new homes. Sadly, that can’t be said for the majority of Altadena’s streets.

While we are still processing so much of HOW this happened and are unclear of WHAT is to come—we know WHY we are here. Our family and home stand ready to serve our community in any and every way we are able. For the foreseeable future, our house will be a home base and a place for prayer, meals, supplies, tools, charging, WiFi, and anything else our neighbors might need. Our home stands to serve. The proceeds of this GoFundMe will sustain our efforts, and help us be an effective resource to our neighbors. We intend to adapt to our neighbors needs as the phases of recovery change.

The immediate need has been for PPE (respirators, tyvek suits, goggles, shovels and metal detectors) so neighbors can more safely search for salvageable memories. The cover photo shows our “AltaDepot” which stores all the supplies and tools we have distributed to date. So much is flying off the shelves which need to be replenished daily! Yesterday was the first time in 17 days of this disaster that we had to send a family off empty handed. Please help us ensure that doesn’t happen again. We do not in any way solicit donations from neighbors receiving supplies.

Connor is a local pastor as well as the Altadena Town Council Corresponding Secretary representing census tract 4601.* We know our neighbors, their needs, and how to maximize the impact of your donation. 100% of your donation will go straight into the community with no overhead administrative expenses. Our family will not personally benefit in any monetary way from your donation.

Thank you in advance for considering our cause.

Even if you are unable to donate please join us in prayer for our community, our neighbors, and what’s to come.

*This GoFundMe and the projects listed are not official projects of the Altadena Town Council.