Los Angeles Wildfires Disaster Relief
February 2 and 9:
Holistic Care and Inspiration
Written By Ida Eva Zielinska
Published #76 | Spring 2025 Issue
The San Gabriel Valley Service Center is at full capacity during disaster relief distributions in February. Photo/Jennifer Chien
SHARE
San Gabriel Valley Service Center
On February 2 and 9, the San Gabriel Valley Service Center held its sixth and seventh distributions, where streams of new Eaton Fire survivors came seeking assistance as they struggled to regain their footing after the wildfire had destroyed their entire sense of stability.
For some, the catastrophe took a toll on entire families. “My brother called and I found out he lost his home. And my other auntie lost her home,” Carlene McGrue shared in disbelief. But that was not the end of this family’s woes, as the home where McGrue had grown up since she was 17 was also gone. “My mom and dad worked hard to get this home. I’m from Haiti and… We didn’t have much. And to go back to see it in ashes…”
“My house is completely destroyed. It was in my family for 77 years. We’ve had five generations that have lived there. Everything in my city is gone,” Patrick Riley told the volunteers, managing to keep a brave face as he relayed this heartbreaking truth. Susana Gutierrez Edward, an artist, also has to come to terms with her new reality: “I worked very hard to get my home to look the way I wanted. I thought I would return, but everything was gone. The whole neighborhood burned down.” Despite her sadness, Edward did find solace at the distribution.
You have so many people that are offering help and love and a space to show pain. Sometimes, I just want to cry, and to provide that is… is therapy. It's therapeutic.
Still, some had initial reservations as they coped with the uncomfortable nature of being in need. “I am humble, and I don’t like to ask for help,” Lee Ann Redlein admitted. Patrick Riley, who had participated in the Salvation Army’s disaster relief services for 27 years and even worked alongside Tzu Chi numerous times, echoed the sentiment, also never expecting to find himself on the aid-receiving end. But those reservations quickly faded.
I appreciate the intimacy. You cover the whole person – bio, psychosocial, and spiritual. It’s a very holistic ministry. People came up right at the beginning, and pretty much everybody had a smile on their face.
Stephen Huang, Executive Director of Tzu Chi Global Volunteers, couldn’t agree more: “Our aid is a gesture of compassion. Like Master Cheng Yen says, ‘Money runs out quickly, but love stays forever.’ We want to spread love.”
For Tzu Chi volunteer David Hoy, who served during these distributions, there was a touching moment when he realized that, indeed, Tzu Chi’s gestures of love are sometimes remembered for years. “When I gave one couple our eco-blanket, I was surprised when they told me they had received a blanket with the same Tzu Chi logo 20 years ago from the sheriff’s department,” Hoy said excitedly. The couple had lost the blanket they got from Tzu Chi after a disaster in Altadena two decades ago, yet felt the love it represented anew, while this time, learning even more about what it represents.
They didn’t know the story behind the eco-blankets until I explained it to them. They were amazed to hear how Tzu Chi volunteers in Taiwan recycle plastic bottles to reduce plastic waste while also creating blankets for people affected by disasters.
Overall, all the volunteers were pleased with how the San Gabriel Valley Service Center had ameliorated the distribution procedure at every turn. At the seventh event, Tzu Chi volunteer Sharon Chu happily relayed, “This is probably the largest since our disaster relief began. Today, there was no waiting in double lines. Today’s process was very well-organized and structured.”
Those continued efforts at improvement may have slipped by the attention of care recipients, as what they saw was already impressive enough. Jesus Rojas, a corporal at the El Monte Police Department, celebrated the whole process, saying, “For me to be here and watch what Tzu Chi is doing, bringing in joy and some sort of restoration back to people’s lives, it’s amazing.”
For others, their experience at the disaster relief distribution opened a new way of viewing the world, less focused on oneself. Lee Ann Redlein, whose house was spared total destruction, found herself thinking about the plight of her neighbors. “The fire went right over our house, but everything around us is gone. The cash card we have today, we actually plan on sharing some of it with people who have lost their houses.”
Tony, another care recipient on February 9, was so moved by Tzu Chi’s help for his community that he later picked four large boxes of avocados from his own farm and brought them to the Service Center for fellow Eaton Fire survivors coming to the next distribution.
West Los Angeles Service Center
The disaster relief distributions on February 2 and 9 at the West Los Angeles Service Center touched and inspired hearts as well. “Somebody gave me five hugs in a row. You can’t beat that, right? And… just words of wisdom that you’re going to make it through this because… It doesn’t feel like it, sometimes,” Lisa Maier said, pausing as she grew more reflective.
You know, I kind of feel like before this, we weren't really in a good place in California. People were kind of on their own path, and this really brought people together, and we've seen generosity like I would never have expected.
Others were moved for different reasons, somewhat surprised by what they saw at the Service Center upon arrival. “What was really amazing about coming here was when I came in the door, I saw all the volunteers praying, and that just overwhelmed me,” Sarah Corey admitted.
Financial aid is huge, and it’s appreciated, but the prayers… that people are praying for us who just lost in this fire are, to me, the real gift.
Tzu Chi Volunteer Teresa Huang, among those praying, revealed her motivation, saying, “I really prayed to help these affected people because, with the desperation that shows in their faces, you wish you could give more. Being here gives hope to these people, helping them realize that, ‘Hey, don’t give up. We’re all in this together.’”
That message came through loud and clear, especially for Barbara Siegel, whose home of 35 years burned down while her husband was in the hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest. “We were really… very, very traumatized that day,” she recounted. Yet being at the distribution a few weeks later helped lift her spirits. “This has been an incredible experience,” she exclaimed. “I mean, I hugged people I don’t even know. The fact that there are people who are this compassionate and willing to assist complete strangers is truly heartwarming.”
Bala and Mae Chandran, whose house of 40 years burned, also found their attitude shifting. “All these volunteers… I just can’t be thankful enough. In the future, believe me, I want to contribute and give in return. Just like they have helped me, I want to help others,” Bala announced. His wife Mae then admitted, “This was a major wake-up call for both of us.”
Our priorities have changed quite a bit… You have to focus on the most important things in life: helping each other. Coming here really gives you a sense of hope. Hope is eternal.
