Los Angeles Wildfires Disaster Relief
January 16 to 18:
Launching Dual Disaster Relief Distributions
Written By Ida Eva Zielinska
Published #76 | Spring 2025 Issue
As care recipients arrive at Tzu Chi USA’s first disaster relief distributions, their distress is apparent. Photo/Shuli Lo
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On January 16, Tzu Chi announced that the $1 million donation match had been increased to $2 million, thanks to the continued generosity of the same anonymous benefactor. This remarkable gesture encouraged even greater public participation in the mission, which would officially begin with disaster relief distributions on January 18.
Given that the distributions were to assist the survivors of two catastrophic wildfires, they were held simultaneously at both the West Los Angeles Service Center, which supported Palisades Fire survivors, and the San Gabriel Valley Service Center, which aided those impacted by the Eaton Fire.
Palisades Fire Relief
As of the morning of January 18, CalFire reported that the Palisades Fire had burned more than 23,710 acres by then, destroying over 3,850 structures and threatening another 12,280, while still only 43% contained. However, for many who arrived at the distribution – staring off into space, their faces blank under the weight of shock, trauma, and exhaustion – their worst fears had already been realized.
Most of them just lost their home, their lovely home. We try to help them as much as we can. To comfort them, to give them emotional support, give them financial support.
Among them, the aid recipients came from different socio-economic backgrounds; some were more privileged, and others less so. Regardless, “We can take care of their urgent needs. I mean, when you lose everything, you lose everything,” said Stephen Huang, Executive Director of Tzu Chi Global Volunteers.
In fact, Master Cheng Yen would also later point out to the U.S. volunteers that being financially well-to-do does not protect one from the suffering of losing one’s home or the trauma of such a shocking event. In such cases, those affected may feel particularly lonely and empty at heart, not expecting sympathy, while actually being more in acute need of spiritual support than many can imagine. And what they then experienced at Tzu Chi’s distributions – unconditional love – brought a change of outlook on life for some.
Alongside Tzu Chi volunteers, several community volunteers also stepped forward to help at the first distribution serving Palisade Fire survivors. Cory Grabow came with his father and two young sons. “I try to teach the boys and my family that we’re fortunate to live this life as we do,” he explained.
We're just trying to make a difference and just be here to support.
Happy to assist at the distribution, Grabow’s son Kay exclaimed, “Lots of people lost their homes and stuff in the fire. I just like helping out.”
For the Tzu Chi team, this attitude echoed an underlying hope in any Tzu Chi mission. “That’s also the main purpose, to spread great love,” said Huang.
Before she left the distribution at the West Los Angeles Service Center, one care recipient exclaimed, “It makes me feel emotional because… just so many people helping… It’s so beautiful.”
Eaton Fire Relief
Concurrently with the West Los Angeles Service Center’s aid for Palisades Fire survivors, the San Gabriel Valley Service Center opened its doors to provide disaster relief for those affected by the Eaton Fire. By January 18, that blaze had engulfed over 14,110 acres, destroying more than 8,980 structures and threatening over 11,920 more.
James Chen, Director of the San Gabriel Valley Service Center, remarked, “It’s a lot of challenges locally because so many residents’ houses burned down. Today, we supplied debit cards, blankets, food, everything.” Many care recipients at the distribution were grateful for the assistance while understandably distraught.
“I work for the City of Pasadena, and more than 70 employees have lost their homes in Altadena. I was devastated; our house burned to the ground. I don’t really have any words to express the feelings I had, just devastation,” Chien Yu, Fire Engineer at the Pasadena Fire Department, declared. Other aid recipients also expressed their woes.
I needed to see with my own eyes that… that my house was gone and there’s nothing… just ashes like my house never was there. It’s not only me who lost my house. It’s my sons. It’s my grandkids. Like, we are all homeless now.
I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I want to go to my house… the ruins of it and say goodbye and start crying. I've been there for 24 years. I’m going to miss it. I loved my house…
Chihuan Hsia, another Tzu Chi USA National Headquarters volunteer, was also on-site. As the Coordinator of the Treasure Hut Program at the headquarters campus in San Dimas, which collects clothing and other essential goods for donation, Hsia had brought items for care recipients to choose from and take home. “Mainly today, we’re giving out down jackets. And we have underwear. We have shoes, hats, socks, gloves, a little bit of everything,” he reported.
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Tzu Chi’s relief efforts, both thoughtful and practical, were truly appreciated, as care recipients revealed when they expressed their thanks to the volunteers.
Sometimes in this world, you think that nobody cares. And then strangers pour out their love through hugs, prayers, financial blessings… It's overwhelming. Thank you so much for your love, your concern, your outreach.
You feel like they care about you, and they understand the situation we’re going through. I can see in their faces how much they want to help. For people like me that we lost everything, it means so much.
