Support Dave, Ivana, and Nathan Nelson: Eaton Fire Recovery

Brian Wiegand is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of David Nelson.

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Dear Friends, Family, and Kind-Hearted Supporters,

I am deeply saddened to share that our dear friends and family, Dave, Ivana, and their 4-year-old son Nathan, have suffered an immense and heartbreaking loss in the wake of the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles. Their beloved family home in Altadena was completely consumed by the fire, along with all of their belongings. Much of the community they cherished is no longer standing—they've lost so much: their home, their belongings, their Church, Nathan’s school, local neighborhood restaurants and shops, and many of their family friends in the area also lost their homes.

The Nelson family settled into their home in Altadena in late 2017, where they built their life, community connections, and welcomed Nathan into their family in 2020. Their home was more than just a structure; it was a place filled with love, laughter, and memories.

Despite this profound tragedy, the Nelsons remain hopeful, but the road ahead is long and fraught with numerous challenges:

Family Home: Over the years, the Nelsons invested hundreds of hours personally making improvements to the home and the property, transforming it into a welcoming and loving environment where friends, family, and guests could make lasting memories together (Dave even built his own chicken coop!). Tragically, the fire completely destroyed their home, the very heart of their life, and sadly, their chickens didn’t make it either. Rebuilding could take 2 to 3 years, involving layers of uncertainty, numerous challenges, and countless decisions. In the meantime, they will have to adjust to living in a temporary housing situation for years, which is a major disruption to their daily life.
Belongings: The Nelsons lost most of their belongings, unfortunately many of which cannot be replaced: Nathan’s baby footprint, anniversary and birthday cards, Nathan’s first drawings and letters, gifts and memorabilia, and more.
Their Church: Their place of worship, where they not only found spiritual solace but also built community ties, has been destroyed, leaving a significant void in their lives.
Nathan’s School: Nathan’s school, where he made friends and learned, has been severely damaged, disrupting his education and leaving him without an immediate place to continue his learning.
Local Neighborhood: The fire also claimed the local community garden, nearby hiking trails and landmarks, their favorite restaurants and shops, and many other places where the Nelson family spent time together outside of the home.
Neighbors and Friends: Many of their close neighbors and friends, the support network for the Nelsons in the local community, also lost their homes, making this disaster not just a personal tragedy but a communal one.

The loss of their home and belongings is devastating and unimaginable, but it's compounded by the destruction of the local community they knew and loved.

I’ve been friends with Dave since the 2nd grade (we even went to college in LA together), and I know the Nelsons well enough to understand that they are very humble and almost reluctant to ask for help. However, I know that their friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and other generous people are eager to show support in their time of need. And despite Dave and Ivana’s unwavering optimism, insurance often does not fully make families whole financially after such a tragedy. That's why I created this campaign—so we can get behind them and remind them how much we care and stand with them in their recovery. Your donation, no matter how large or small, isn't just financial support; it's a message to the Nelson family that they are not alone in this time of need. We are here for them not just financially, but spiritually and emotionally. In times of profound challenge, we're reminded that what truly matters in life are our friends, family, and community—our greatest strengths in overcoming adversity.

Funds will be used to provide initial and immediate support to the family in the coming days, weeks, and months as they start to regain a footing and begin to rebuild their life.

Join us in supporting the Nelson family through this journey of recovery and rebuilding!

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