Eaton Fire: HELP support Heather, Howard & Ezra

Eaton Fire in Altadena: Help Rebuild

Their Lives After a Devastating House Fire

My best friend since I was 19, her husband, and their beloved dog narrowly escaped a tragic house fire with only the clothes on their backs. Their home and everything in it was lost in the flames in the Eaton Fire in Altadena.

I’m reaching out to ask for your support as they begin the overwhelming process of rebuilding their lives from scratch. Any amount, big or small, will make a difference and bring hope to this incredible family during such a heartbreaking time.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and generosity.

Madison Gulli

A personal note from Howard Goldberg:

I moved from NYC to Altadena 35 years ago to attend the Art Center, where I quickly found a tiny shack behind a run-down mansion on a decaying property. I had to walk to the main house to use the bathroom, but it was cheap.

Over the years the landlord slowly revitalized the mansion and the property was transformed into a finely landscaped garden of exotic fruit trees and winding paths.

I spent most of my adulthood here, eventually marrying my wife Heather (the wedding was held on the property).

Heather moved into another nearby small unit on the same property. Her unit became her professional massage /yoga studio. I converted another nearby unit into an art studio.

Heather and I didn't simply reside here, but we flourished and truly found our bliss.

We are both of the philosophy that our lives are but a bright shining and all too short gift - so we try to live mindfully in the present, and encounter each moment with gratitude.

Yesterday (Jan 07, 2025) greater forces shuffled the deck once again and our paradise (and many others) were wiped away.

Quickly and with little warning the city of Altadena was turned into a pile of smoldering ashes.

Within hours, Heather and I lost everything except for our lives and our pup, Ezra.

The power was out so in the darkness we fumbled to each grab a few cherished items and necessities for the dog and escaped with our overnight bags.

We lost her yoga studio (her income), my art studio (30 years worth of work), my art supplies (oil paint is expensive!), her burlesque outfits (her passion), our wardrobes, our prized possessions, and useful paperwork.

"A lesson in non-attachment my wife" so sagely says.

We will not only endure but we will continue to laugh (and cry), dance and become our best selves as we walk our shared path.

We are realizing that it will be a steep hill for a while and I will have to swallow my pride when I humbly present this request for donations.

We are financially insecure (Heather was out of work recovering from surgery for the last three months), but I am an experienced web developer and SEO (with over a decade of experience), so any potential clients looking for such are welcome.

But mostly, it seems that legal tender would be the best way to help cover temporary housing and immediate need costs exceeding federal aid allowances.

I am well aware that there is so much suffering in the world (and honestly more needy recipients) - and as always, another disaster will supplant our own shortly - but if you can spare a few bucks we would be most appreciative.

Blessings from Howard, Heather, and Ezra Goldberg