My bother Joel and his wife Beth lost their home and everything inside when it burned down in the Palisades fire on January 7. It was the home where my sister-in-law Beth grew up, and where she lived with Joel, their children, and Beth’s parents. Beth, Joel, and their kids had moved in with Beth’s parents to help care for them in their older age. Beth’s father was battling cancer, and her mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

The didn’t only lose their home, but they also lost Beth’s father at the same time. They are struggling and need support to help them with logistics and boost their spirits.

This is how Beth described their experience on the day of the fires:

On the day of the fire, my father was literally dying in his bed. He had been on hospice care in our home for several days, and it was clear that the end was near. He had called the people closest to him to say goodbye and had gathered our family close to say a final goodbye to all of us. His eyes were rolling back in his head, his breathing was labored, and it felt that death was imminent. Then, we looked out of his bedroom window and saw flames moving down the hillside. We didn't think they would get to us because we didn't live in the hills—we lived on a residential street. We didn't know what to do and couldn't imagine moving my father. Would he even be able to move? Would he die in the car? How much pain would a move cause him? So we waited until it was clear that the fire was not stopping and that it was coming towards us.

We were still scrambling to grab photo albums and important documents when somehow, my father appeared downstairs. He had gotten out of bed, walked down the stairs, and packed a bag with his wallet. He looked at us running around and said calmly, "Let's go." I was in no state to drive, but my husband got our kids into the car, helped my dad into the front seat, and drove us to safety.

We arrived in a family home in Orange County several hours later, where I got my father settled into the bed where he would die the next day. He knew we were all safe, and he was thankfully spared the knowledge of the devastation of the town where he had lived for 46 years—where he had raised his children and had experienced so much joy in walking his grandchildren to school and to various after-school activities. He did not know our house burned down.

Beth and Joel are now focusing on taking care of their children and Beth’s mother, replacing the things they miss the most and trying to establish some sort of normalcy. Looking for schools, furnishing bedrooms to make them comfortable, stocking up on basics like socks and shoes. The individual expenses add up quickly.

Beth and Joel have always been there for other people when they need help. Please join me is supporting them during this difficult time.