First of all, I would like to acknowledge EVERY single family that has been impacted by all recent Los Angeles County wildfires.

My name is Tiffany Bell-Johnson. As a Southern California resident I too was affected by the raging fires. My dearest cousins, Ryan and Mizonna Swerdloff and their three children, two dogs, and a cat, devastatingly lost their Altadena home and all their possessions in the Eaton fires on January 8th, 2025. Their family is safe but they lost all their possessions including those irreplaceable memories from their childhood and keepsakes when their children were young.

Mizonna is not just a cousin, but she’s been like a sister to me that has been always there for me, including when my life was in danger and in shambles. It is with all my heart that I may be able to assist my family, the Swerdloffs, with some much-needed relief after the Eaton Fire that devastated their home and beautiful neighborhood.

Ryan and Mizonna are long-time Altadena residents who were classmates and graduates of John Muir High School in Pasadena! I had the privilege to witness their relationship bloom at their ten-year high school class reunion, which graciously evolved into a blissful marriage, where they returned to raise their family in Altadena more than 15 years ago. It is this home where they raised three phenomenal blessings, where they wanted their children to have a more stable and consistent home life than they had growing up. Life in Altadena has been nothing but joy for them and their children.

Ryan and Mizonna invested deeply in their community, joining the board of Young & Healthy, worked with Union Station Homeless Services, serving as a volunteer member of the Tournament of Roses, actively participating in their kids schools and activities, including marching band, choir, drama, art, swim and waterpolo. Their kids – Asa, Ian, and Ella – all attend Pasadena Unified schools which were also impacted by the devastating fires.

It will take some time for the Swerdloffs to figure out the next steps. However, this GoFundMe will cover so many unexpected expenses outside of disaster assistance. It will help my family get back on their feet with immediate essentials while they navigate their next steps to rebuild their lives.

The Swerdloffs have been there for their community generously and encouragingly whenever anyone needs it. I have experienced it with my own eyes. I can only hope and pray to give them even a fraction of that support back.

Please note that the GoFundMe will cover expenses outside of disaster assistance.

Kindly donate if you can, and share widely.