Starting over after the Eaton Fire

Hello everyone. I really appreciate you taking the time to read through my post here. My name is Montana and I was born and raised here in the San Gabriel Valley - specifically Altadena and Pasadena - the two cities ripped apart by the Eaton Fire.

On January 7th, the Eaton Fire tore through my community, and my home was one of the many destroyed. In a matter of moments, everything | owned-my belongings, memories, and sense of security-was lost to the flames. I am incredibly grateful to all of my community's emergency services for having come together to evacuate us and save as many of our homes and businesses as possible. But now I face the overwhelming task of rebuilding my life from scratch.

The fire claimed not only my home but also many essential items I relied on for my day-to-day life. My clothes, my electronic devices, my food, my legal documents, and even my trombone. I am now starting over with nothing but my old car and the gym bag I hastily packed hours before my home was lost. While I am seeking support through local and federal resources, the process is slow (FEMA advised me to wait at least 10 days for a response) and there is an urgent need to replace basic necessities like clothing, toiletries, and other essentials.

I am humbly asking for your help to replace what I've lost and begin to rebuild my life. Your generosity will go toward:

• Essential items like clothing, food, and toiletries

• Replacing lost property (e.g., furniture, appliances, personal effects)

• Temporary housing and relocation costs

• Business expenses - as my sole source of income is currently the earnings I generate as an Uber driver, ongoing maintenance and repairs of my 10 year old car are critical.

Any amount you can give, big or small, will make an enormous difference as I navigate this difficult time. If vou aren't able to donate, please consider sharing this posting with anyone who might be able to help.

Thank you so much for your kindness and support. Your goodwill means more to me than I can express.

Sincerely,

-Montana Volby