Help Esteban & Annie After Losing House to Eaton Fire

The devastating Eaton fire has been a tragic nightmare for so many families. Among those affected were my beloved brother and sister-in-law, Esteban + Annie. To many that know their story, Esteban + Annie started their home buying journey in 2023. Through the roller coaster process, they found a place to call home in Altadena, CA. On January 9, 2024, they received the keys to their first home. The excitement of this accomplishment was a relief of joy to finally start building a home full of memories and DIYs in hopes to one day start a family with their baby kitties, Coco + Bailey. Unfortunately, on January 8, 2025, a day before their 1-year home anniversary, they lost their home to this unprecedented tragedy.

During this one year, Esteban + Annie worked every weekend on their home, from new gutters, exposing their living room wood ceilings, building their DIY custom outdoor farmhouse table to host family and friends. On the Sunday before the fire, they had completed their drought tolerant conversion front yard with repurposed cobblestone pathways. This home became a retreat for our father who was diagnosed with cancer during the summer. He visited weekly to cut the grass, clean up weeds, organize bricks and break down their Amazon packages. At every family get-together they would share their new home project or the latest home gadget they saw at Costco.

The loss of the home can be replaced but the emotional loss of what their home was becoming is heartbreaking. Their dream and motivation were aspiring. I share with you their story because even through this hardship, they continue to stay humble, positive and resilient. They plan to stay in the community that welcomed them with warmth and support – the community of neighbors that helped them borrow gardening tools, stopped to chat about their Plumeria Tree and acknowledged a simple good morning. Because that is what Altadena is – neighbors supporting each other. If you are able to, please help with any contribution to help Esteban + Annie, and the families affected by this tragic event. Any help you offer will assist them greatly in the transition between losing it all and getting back on their feet.

Thank you with deepest gratitude.

Patricia Carrillo-Avila