Dear Friends, Family, and Generous Supporters,

Kevin, Ilana, and their one-year-old daughter Leanorah are pillars of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater (BBMT) community and have been for years. Early Wednesday morning, January 8th, their home in Altadena, CA, was tragically destroyed in the Eaton fire, leaving them with only a few salvaged possessions and facing the monumental challenge of figuring out the next steps forward.

Kevin has been the Technical Director and Master Puppet Builder at BBMT for the past eight years, creating beloved new characters and reviving the Theater’s workshop. His leadership and vision were instrumental in finding and building the new Highland Park location, including designing the stage and performance space we cherish today.

Ilana, equally dedicated, has supported many of the Theater’s iconic puppet projects, from restoration/refabrication of the Fiesta cactus and skeleton marionettes in the Halloween Show to Frankenstein, and even re-feathering the historic crow for Something to Crow About. Together, they’ve brought joy to countless audiences and have made their home a hub for the BBMT family and beyond.

Beyond their creative work, Kevin and Ilana are known for their kindness and generosity. They’re always the first to offer help—whether it’s collaborating with a schoolteacher to build a puppet for a classroom or checking in on a friend in need. Now, it’s our turn to give back to these two extraordinary people who have given so much to us.

This fundraiser aims to help Kevin & Ilana get back on their feet with things that won’t be covered by FEMA/insurance, and as they navigate their next steps to recover from this unimaginable loss

If you can’t donate, sharing this campaign or offering words of support will mean the world to them. Let’s rally around Kevin, Ilana, and Leanorah to show them the love and kindness they’ve always shown to others.

Funds are being collected by Winona Bechtle, one of their longtime co-workers at Bob Baker Marionette Theater, and 100% of funds will be distributed directly to Kevin & Ilana.