Help the McFadden family after the Altadena fires

On January 7, the Eaton wildfire erupted in our family’s hometown of beautiful Altadena, California and due to severe weather conditions with gusts of wind up to 100 mph, it quickly spread throughout the entire community. Early the next morning, we learned that our beloved family home on Mendocino Street had burned to the ground along with all the other houses, schools, churches and businesses in the area. Fortunately, all our family members living in the home were safely evacuated, including Eileen, Tom, Bridget, Romie and Marissa. But due to the severity of the blaze, they only had minutes to grab what they could and get out alive. The house itself and everything else in it is gone.

We recognize that we are not the only family experiencing this devastating loss and we extend our sincerest sorrow, love and support to our many friends, family and neighbors who have also lost their homes in this tragedy.

We have set up this page at the request of the many people who have reached out to see how they can help the McFadden family at this time. These funds will assist with needs that might not be fully covered by other sources of aid, primarily to help our eldest sister, Eileen, who has special needs and depends on us. Her safety, medical care and general wellbeing is our top priority.

We are also immensely grateful for non-monetary support including prayers, positive thoughts and messages, hugs, funny stories about the McFaddens (roasting is preferred), your favorite Joe and Diane quotes, or the many wild antics that made Mendocino what it was!

Our late parents, Joe and Diane, bought the house in 1972 and since then, three generations of McFaddens have grown up there, scores of friends and chosen family have stayed there, and thousands of you have gathered there on special occasions. Joe and Diane’s epic open-door policy has lived on and made Mendocino much more than just a house for many of us. The home that Joe and Diane built was laid on a foundation of love, laughter, and welcoming acceptance of who you were on the outside and the inside. Fire be damned, that foundation cannot be destroyed. We may have lost the house, but the McFadden family is committed to rebuilding a place where all are welcome and cared for through community, love, laughter and acceptance.

As a family we are all truly touched by the outreach and offers of support. We also understand how blessed we are by your love. Thank you and we will see you at the next party!

Love and thanks,

The McFadden Kids

“If life hands you a crap sandwich, don’t nibble it, wolf it down.”

— Joe McFadden

Bonus info! Our dad Joe lived in Altadena from the time he was in elementary school at St Elizabeth to the time he passed at the house in 2016, and he was able to keep the same phone number all those years. If you knew that 9500 number by heart, consider yourself an honorary McFadden for life.