Help Schentell & Sam's Family After the Eaton Fire

Altadena has been our home; it's where we started our family, welcomed our 1.5-year-old son into the world, and poured everything we had into building a life. We are devastated by what has happened to the families in our community, and our hearts go out to everyone who is trying to rebuild after the Eaton Fire.

Like so many, the fire has turned our lives upside down. While our house is still standing, the toxic ash, smoke, hazardous air, and contaminated water have made it unsafe for us to stay. We’ve been forced to leave indefinitely, and the long-term environmental impact has left us uncertain about what comes next.

Our 1.5-year-old son, who recently recovered from RSV and was diagnosed with asthma, cannot live in this environment. Protecting him is our top priority, but displacement has made it nearly impossible for us to work or plan for the future.

We have been doing everything we can to manage this on our own, but we’ve realized we can’t. The gravity of this natural disaster has compromised both of our incomes. Support from insurance, if we receive any, can take months or more to arrive. It also leaves many expenses related to our indefinite displacement on our plates. The funds raised here will not be used for expenses that insurance may cover but will instead provide immediate support for the uncovered costs of our displacement and recovery.

Asking for help is not easy. If you’re able to support us—through a donation, sharing our story, or simply keeping us in your thoughts—we will be forever grateful. Your kindness will help us navigate one of the hardest times of our lives.

With love and gratitude,

Schentell & Sam