Support Saundra Parker After Eaton Wildfire

Hello Friends,

My family and I have suffered a devastating loss of our material possessions. Our spirits are strong, but our hearts are aching.

We lost the home of my sister and brother-in-law, myself, and all of our possessions in the devastating Altadena Eaton Canyon fire.

I am a long-time resident of Altadena; 

I grew-up in this city; attended primary school, McKinley Jr High, and John Muir High school in this community. 

I am a USC alum, and have deep roots in the city of Altadena.

In 1981, I established a charitable organization, co-founded a day care center and private elementary

schools in Pasadena with my long-time educator and adored entrepreneur mother, Mrs. Faithie Parker. 

Sadly, our beloved Faith passed in 2022.

The educational program was called Faith Educational Center or F.E.C.

There was a preschool, a kindergarten and grades 1st through 4th. 

Faith was the Principal and I was the Administrator, assisting her as needed.

The charitable organization also administrated and hosted a number of community-based program services under the umbrella of the organization, which included sober homes, safe houses for survivors of domestic abuse, job training programs, provided physical health, mental health, other social service resources, and provided a multi-faceted resource and referral agency that assisted the homeless, veterans, families, seniors, individuals in recovery, and members of marginalized communities.

Our agency operated from 1980 - 2021, suspending activities due to the COVID Pandemic.

I am/was in the process of planning organizing and resuming our services, which will include low-income housing resources, aid for seniors, and other programs until experiencing the life disrupting experience of the Eaton fire.

This is the first time that I find that I am requiring assistance - hence, this request for help.

I have literally lost every material possession that I had and any help that can be directed towards me would be very much appreciated.

I lost my Jeep Wrangler vehicle, which was in an Altadena local auto repair shop.

I’d planned to pick it up after the planned repairs on January 8th, only to view in an uploaded video online that the shop and all of the vehicles in the lot had been reduced to large piles of melted plastic, glass, and burned metal frames. My car was destroyed.

I had all of my household items, and my furniture stored in the Altadena Lincoln Avenue U-Haul, which now appears to be damaged and/or inaccessible.

I lost all of my clothing, shoes, toiletries, and literally every item that I owned in the fire.

I evacuated with my family members late in the evening of January 7th/early in the morning of January 8th, clad only with the clothing on my back, a pair of shoes on my feet, and, (my 17-year-old Jack Russell, Bosco), in his carrier.

All of the above circumstances are why I’m posting this request for aid.

I am literally in shock; my heart is still pounding, and my body continues to vibrate.

In my mind, I continue to see the glowing cinders, sparks and fireballs bouncing across the car hood, roaring flames on both sides of the streets, burning foliage, thick smoke obscuring all vision -while electrical services were down, and fires were burning everywhere.

Fires Burning Everywhere.

Any assistance that you can provide would be very much appreciated.

This effort is solely in place as my attempt to restore my life circumstances.

No sum is too large or small and every effort is and will be greatly appreciated.

I am literally in the position of reconstructing my life starting from scratch. There is along road ahead of me towards recovery and I really need your help.

My funds are being depleted rather rapidly, due to unforeseen medical and living expenses as a result of this crisis. These GoFundMe effort will assistance with needs that will not be fully covered by other sources of aid. Your support will assist me to address the many aspects of recovery and support my needs regarding this crisis. 

Any support you can provide to help Bosco and I rebuild our lives, would be greatly appreciated. 

 P.S. Please feel free to share this on your social media as well.

I am very grateful that my sister-Cynthia, my brother-in-law, Ibarionex, and both our pets are safe, solid, and together - as we experience this “new thing”.

My heart bleeds for those who lost their lives in this disaster. I ache for those who lost possessions, and I hope that our family can eventually provide solace and help to others as we also make our recovery efforts.

Thank you for taking time to read this posting.

Unlimited Love to You and Yours,

Dena Strong

Saundra Parker