Los Angeles Wildfires Disaster Relief
January 25 and 26:
Hugs and Faith in El Monte
Written By Ida Eva Zielinska
Published #76 | Spring 2025 Issue
Tzu Chi USA CEO Debra Boudreaux comes to assist a woman with limited mobility who arrived at the distribution. The volunteer team also prepared a wheelchair for her in advance. Photo/Shuli Lo
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Just days later, on the weekend of January 25 to 26, the San Gabriel Valley Service Center hosted its third and fourth disaster relief distributions for those impacted by the Eaton Fire. Tzu Chi USA CEO Debra Boudreaux said that beyond providing tangible aid, the goal of Tzu Chi’s distributions is also to offer “a space to share what they went through, and what will be the next steps for them” as they embark on the challenging journey of rebuilding their lives after tremendous loss and hardship.
“The wind was so strong. It was frightening for the children, and we lost power,” recalled Darcy Hall, who attended the distribution with her husband and their two young daughters. “And so we left, but we thought we would wake up and go home the next day. And when we woke up, we heard that the neighborhood was gone.” Their youngest daughter then blurted out to her mother, “I want to go home.” But home was gone.
Cheryl McMurray, who had lived in her home for 40 years, understood that the loss was more than just material; it was the loss of a gathering place filled with family history. “We were the house that hosted every party in the family, baby showers, birthday parties, weddings…” she recounted, now coming to terms with the fact that only the memories remained.
Others described their desperate attempts to save their homes. “The first house catches fire, and then the wind starts going west, and then it’s the next house, the next house, the next house. And then it comes across the street to me,” Jose Bugarin recalled.
But then, his family arrived: “My wife shows up, with my father-in-law, and my 14-year-old son, and my brother-in-law, and they said, ‘We’re going to help you save your house.’” They pulled out water hoses, swept leaves out to the street, and tried to create as much of a barrier as they could. “That saved most of my house, which is 40% damaged, but it saved everyone else’s next to me. It gives me a good feeling to know that we were able to at least do that,” Bugarin explained, finding a glimmer of positivity at the end of the ordeal.
George Baxter also fought to save his home. “I just retired from the fire department, so I stayed up all night long trying to defend my house with a water hose. I watched everybody’s house one at a time just burn down. And finally, I left,” he said. “I couldn’t even see my hands in front of my face. I was getting overrun by smoke and fire, and I ended up at the Huntington Memorial Hospital. When I left, my house was standing. But when I came out of the emergency room, there was just nothing left.”
Despite their suffering, many found comfort in the aid provided by Tzu Chi, made possible through the generosity of donors. “It made me feel good that there were people in the world that care. So, we’ll make it through,” Cheryl McMurray declared. “Total strangers helping. It’s really moving,” Darcy Hall concurred. “What they’re doing for the Altadena community, it’s amazing,” Jose Bugarin added. Stephanie Spruill, another aid recipient that day, agreed.
I bought that house in 1977. Who knew when I bought that house, this is how it would end. But it hasn't ended because we have wonderful people like Tzu Chi reaching out. We're all in the same boat together. So, thank you, Tzu Chi. Help us continue to hope.
In addition to receiving a cash card and eco-blanket, care recipients could select from a variety of donated necessities, including clothing, bedding, and food. Just as crucial as material aid, emotional support was ever-present and offered in a profoundly human way. As Tzu Chi USA CEO Boudreaux emphasized, “When they’re coming here, money, it’s important, but the most important now is the human touch, a simple, gentle hug.”
During the distribution, James Chen, Director of the San Gabriel Valley Service Center, invited everyone present to join in prayer for those devastated by the recent Los Angeles County wildfires. “We all know from past experience, in addition to material needs, they need mental comfort very much,” he explained, adding, “We are an interfaith prayer. Our minds are all connected.” He also introduced the “Prayer Wall” and “Conversation with Buddha” area, where individuals could privately share their thoughts and find solace. Indeed, hugs and faith brought comfort during this weekend of distribution in El Monte.
This is just the most beautiful event. I mean, the best ever. You get to pray, you get healing. I just prayed that all the people here just get the help they need. You know, we just build a bigger, better, more beautiful community. That's what I prayed for.
