My name is Kaye Kittrell. I lived in Pacific Palisades, CA, for 25 years. For 20 years, I was blessed to know Rene and wife Dinora (Carbajal) Zambrano. Rene is a gardener who has worked exclusively for clients in Pacific Palisades, like me, for 35 years, which was destroyed in the recent California fires. He worked for several in my immediate neighborhood, all of which burned, including my former home where he continued with new owners.

Rene and Dinora made a harrowing escape from the Palisades on the morning of the fires. He always stored his $3000 worth of gardening machines and tools in a resident's garage, which also burned. He can't buy more tools until he has a secure place to store them (they would get stolen in the back of the pickup), which means finding all new clients, in a new area. It will not be easy. When a homeowner has a good gardener, they don't change. They have one vehicle and need to work in the same area. Rene helped me put in my edible garden in 2011, which became the inspiration for my Late Bloomer channel on YouTube.

Around 2005, I told Rene I needed a once a week housekeeper and Dinora came to work and continued until 2020 when I left LA. During that time, my friend Chris (who suggested this fundraiser) was in need of a housekeeper and Dinora became a regular 2x week for her two houses, which she lost. All of Dinora's clients, as well as Rene's, lost their homes. The area is toxic and can't be worked in or around. Rene and Dinora are like family and we sobbed when I moved to Tennessee.

I am trying to raise funds for at least three months living expenses (their monthly expenses are approximately $3000) plus $3000 to replace his tools. Right now, between the two of them, Dinora has one day of work. These two came to the United States from El Salvador as young adults, learned English, and both became proud U.S. citizens. I remember how happy she was that day. To know them is to love them. Kind, hardworking, polite, gentle and giving. Help me to give back to them and get them on their feet. Three months will go by quickly. Thank you for your generosity and God bless you all! ~ Kaye Kittrell (this was not enhanced by AI)