Help Ryde and Kathy Rebuild After Fire

As many of you know, my stepson Ryde and his mom Kathy lost their home to the Eaton fire in Altadena. My fiancée Kenneth rented the guest house to store his belongings until we could buy a bigger house that could fit his possessions along with mine. He too, lost most of his memorable possessions.

At first, we rejoice that they are safe which is of course the most important, and after the shock passes, the realization of leaving everything behind due to a 5am emergency evacuation sinks in, and it is heart breaking.

As I hear them going over the things you can't replace; ornaments collected through their lifetime; each holding a memory that lives each time they build the Christmas tree, awards, pictures, artwork, the china inherited from the grandparents that were part of the thanksgiving tradition... all I can do is cry with them.

Kathy and Ryde wake in a home that isn't theirs, realizing that they don't have the basics that made up their routine, their favorite face cream, shampoo or deodorant. They shower, and realize they don't have any of their clothes, their favorite hoodie, hair tools etc. etc. etc. They go to bed, and it's not their pillows or mattress.

So many of you ask how you can help, and I realized that although we can't help with the items money can't buy, we can help them get enjoyment from getting new clothes, accessories & toiletries.

I am hoping this gift will alleviate some of the financial burden that lies ahead for them.

Thank you so much for considering a gift to them.

Gisele Sheehan