Support the Pallay Family’s Recovery After the Eaton Fire

On January 8, 2025, my parents lost their home in the tragic Eaton Fire that ravaged the Altadena community. This wasn’t just any house. It was the home my grandparents purchased in 1962, where they raised 5 children in a beautifully diverse community. This home was a cornerstone of our family’s history, and a symbol of progress for the families who helped shape Altadena into one of the most diverse and vibrant communities in LA County.

My mother is a lifelong Altadena resident. She and her siblings attended Edison and Loma Alta Elementary, Elliot Middle, and Muir High School. She tells stories of Altadena being a community that you knew someone on just about every street. Where neighbors across all cultures banded together to create a vibrant community. She recalls how her parents were friends with all their neighbors. How she and her siblings had friends on almost every block, could walk to their homes, and refer to their friend's parents as family.

But on that fateful night, all of that was taken from us in an instant. The house that held generations of memories—the house that represented not just our own family’s history, but a larger story of community and belonging—was destroyed. It is hard to put into words the depth of this loss. What was lost wasn’t just a structure; it was the heart of our family, our memories, and our legacy.

While my parents are overwhelmed by this, they are also determined to honor the dream of my grandparents to always have a place to call home. They evacuated with only the clothes on their backs, their pets, and a few important documents. Everything else they owned, is gone.

My parents have received so much kindness and so many words of encouragement, which has truly been a source of strength and hope. Many have asked for ways to support them in their journey, and while there is still so much to process in this loss, they recognize that this will not be an overnight fix. They have a long road ahead, and your generosity will help my parents through this challenging time.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Your kindness and generosity mean more to us than words can express.

With deep gratitude,

Lisa Odigie

Daughter of Richard and Dianne Pallay