Help Christel & Edward after L.A. fire destroyed their home

On Tuesday, January 6, 2025, the Los Angeles home of my sister Christel and her bright and talented son, 13-year-old Edward, was totally destroyed by a wildfire. All that is left, are ashes.

Edward and Christel are both talented musicians, and Edward is a keen filmmaker. All of their music equipment and all of Edward's movie equipment, costumes, and props, most of which Edward paid for with the pocket money he made from curb painting and dog sitting, have been destroyed

Due to the area being prone to earthquakes and wildfires, as with many other properties in Los Angeles, their home and belongings could not be insured.

They are now homeless and have virtually only the clothes on their backs.

A couple of days ago, Christel asked Edward where, if he could choose anywhere in the world, he would want to go. Edward said, "Home. I want to go home."

This is what Christel wrote on her Facebook page, "At 10:45 on Tuesday, I smelled smoke, looked up, and saw flames barreling down the hill. A little over two hours later, our house was engulfed. I have never experienced such a ferocious fire. Our home was one of the first destroyed. But then, one after the other, friends learned that they, too, had lost everything. You don’t even have to ask. You can see it in their eyes. A profound, devastating sorrow. Moms, dads, and kids put on brave faces for each other. But in private moments, they sob. In the shower. In the dark under the covers. In their cars. Because this was supposed to only be an evacuation like the others. The firemen will come and save it all. We will be back in a few days. But this time, it was different. They didn’t come, and the water ran out.

People say it’s all replaceable, mere material possessions. But not all of it. Our son’s first painting, the Valentine’s card he made for me in 1st grade, my painting of Otto, our beloved dog who died last year. My press book and TV and film footage that I never digitized. My South African mementos. Carefully collected Christmas ornaments. And everyone, like me, have similar memories that burned to ashes.

Thank you to our amazing friends who have reached out and offered help and solace. I’m holding those suffering tightly in my heart. This too shall pass. It might just take a little while."

Please reach into your hearts and your pockets, and help my homeless family.