Support Ariel and Mackin After Eaton Fire

Ariel and Mackin are some of our oldest and dearest friends. They moved to Altadena last year, and it was beautiful to watch them build a home together. Throughout their time in Altadena, they’ve generously hosted friends for dinners, celebrations, and weekly Dungeons & Dragons sessions. Their home has been a second home to many in our community. We are close friends fundraising on their behalf.

Ariel works as the operations manager at the beloved Altadena Beverage & Market down the road, a business which has also been directly impacted by the Eaton fire. Ariel, a dedicated poet and writer who just published her first book, lost all of her cherished books and journals. Mackin works as a musician, music producer/songwriter, and music teacher for children in the Altadena neighborhood; all of his equipment, gear, and instruments are unsalvageable. His income has been severely compromised by this disaster.

Their home, which they rented, was located at Lake & Calaveras near much of the central devastation. It is still currently in a lockdown area with no access. Power, water and gas are shut off indefinitely and the house is contaminated with ash, soot and smoke that authorities have deemed toxic from asbestos, lead, plastics, and other chemicals present in the structures that burned down nearby. Unfortunately, their home’s old slatted glass windows were not up to code. On the night of the fire, wind was gusting into their home through the slats, which eventually let in the smoke and toxic particulates. They’ve been told it is likely that everything inside will need to be discarded, and if not, professional smoke remediation will need to take place once the area has been cleared. Access will not be likely for months to a year or more, but as renters, their return standing is even more unclear. Their landlords, confirmed safe, have still not contacted them. They are unsure of where or how to move forward. They, along with their two cats, Fern & Theo, are currently safe and temporarily staying at a friend’s house, but will need to find other accommodation soon, and expenses will add up. 

Ariel and Mackin are doing all they can to stay afloat right now. Your contributions will support them as they try to move forward, assisting with needs that might not be covered by other sources of aid. Any excess funds that they may receive will go back towards the Eaton Fire recovery efforts.