Assist Altadena's Benavidez Family

My name is Ivan Benavidez. I have lived in Altadena, CA my entire life and, like so many, my family home and everything we own was destroyed in the recent Eaton Canyon fire. We need help. Any dollar amount you can donate to help us get back on our feet again would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your support.

P.S. My name is Gretchen Elm and I was a teacher in PUSD for over 20 years at Burbank Elementary, Franklin Elementary, and Sierra Madre Elementary. During that time, all of my students and their families touched my heart and I still consider them to be my kids. Ivan and his mom, Jackie, also a PUSD teacher, became part of my life when I taught at Franklin and are very dear to me. Even though I recently moved out of CA, I will always be attached to Altadena and to these families. This family is one of them and they asked for my help creating this fundraiser. And while I was once an editor and have a tendency to make things short and to the point, in this case, more is needed. Ivan's grandparents bought this home 45 years ago and three generations have lived and thrived there and called it home. When told to evacuate, his family left their home in a car with only the clothes on their back. They are facing a daunting future and your help would mean so much to both myself and their family. Please give them hope that a brighter future is ahead of them. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child and, in this case, it takes caring individuals and families to rebuild a community!