Support Daren O'Neill: Tools and Shelter Needed

A trusted and beloved carpenter & handyman in Pacific Palisades, Daren O'Neill has been selflessly supporting his clients - who’ve since turned into friends - for 28 years. He’s the most honest and trustworthy neighbor anyone could have, and after nearly 30 years of hard work helping hundreds of Palisadians, it’s time for us to help him.

On Wednesday January 8, after the first night of the Palisades Fire, Daren learned that all his equipment was destroyed. A truckload of tools, located at one of his job sites and specifically curated over dozens of projects and years, was lost. These tools represent Daren’s entire livelihood -- his only source of income.

If you’ve ever met Daren, it’ll come as no surprise to learn that when he saw smoke rise from the Highlands on Tuesday morning, he raced up Palisades Drive dialing his clients and neighbors in the immediate area with a personal warning that fire was near.

Daren is someone I've known personally for 10 years, and I’m proud to share my first-hand account of Daren’s dedication to his neighbors. If you were one of millions glued to the news about the Palisades Fire, you might have seen Daren interviewed on KTLA trying to inform specific clients of the status of their homes. Attached in the link below is a clip of his interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zL--yf-nWo

Daren was a reliable source of information for those in the neighborhood who had no way of knowing the extent of damage to their homes and to our community. I was lucky to witness his dedication to his clients & neighbors as he methodically worked from one side of the Palisades to the other, documenting via cell phone video, the conditions of homes on which he’s worked for so many years.

The funds we raise for Daren will go directly to replacing his tools and securing a temporary living situation. Because his home might be uninhabitable for at least a year, he is hoping to set up an RV - close to Pacific Palisades & Malibu - so he can be available for his clients and friends at a moment’s notice. While we hope the bulk of the destruction is behind us, Daren is now dedicating everything to his clients and is ready to be a key participant in the long road to rebuild the Palisades.

While it can be difficult at times to ask for help, your contributions, no matter how small, will make a meaningful impact on Daren’s ability to support our community. Thank you for your kindness and generosity for Daren and for everyone else you’re supporting throughout this disaster.