Support Shannon and Justin After Eaton Fire

Dear friends, I am Shelly Hunt Smith. I live in the Bay Area, but I am starting this GoFundMe page for my sister and her family who have experienced so much loss from the Eaton Fire in Altadena, CA. This request is here for friends and family living outside of the Southern California fire areas who might find themselves able to provide assistance. We know this is a very difficult time for many of the people we love and we thank you for considering.

My sister, Shannon Hunt, and her husband, Justin Fisher, and their two daughters live in Altadena and they’ve lost their whole community to the Eaton Fire. Our dad, Frank Hunt, and his wife, Rhonda, also live with Shannon and Justin. Although their home is still standing (as of this writing), pretty much everything around their house, beyond their little cul de sac, has burned. It will be some time before the area is deemed safe, utilities restored, clean water made available, and the evacuation order lifted. Then, it will take much longer to rebuild the community. Being displaced for an unknown amount of time will create great financial uncertainty and tremendous stress. Most immediately, they need to buy clothes and essential items that they didn’t have time to pack when they were evacuated before dawn on Wednesday morning. They are currently staying with our mom in Hemet, but they will need to find someplace close enough for Justin to get to work and their daughter to get to her school in LA on Monday.

Aveson, the elementary school where Willa and Louisa grew up, and where Shannon has worked for over a decade teaching theatre, art, running the afterschool program, and leading fundraising and community events has been completely destroyed in the fire. Her employment future is uncertain at best. Justin only recently got back to work after the entertainment industry strike. Beloved neighbors and friends have been scattered and all are still reeling from the shock of this devastating disaster.

Shannon and Justin know they are so lucky to still have their home standing, full of personal treasures and family mementos, but they are heartbroken and unsure how to even begin to move forward from this tragedy. They are deeply connected to the Altadena community and in mourning for friends who have lost everything. If you already know them, you will undoubtedly have seen how incredibly generous they are with their time, talent, and treasure. Our whole family is grateful that they have such an amazing network of friends and neighbors who have been helping them and each other through this difficult time. Funds received here will go toward immediate needs to regain some sense of stability for their family and anything extra will be shared directly with other Altadena families in need. Every little bit helps. Thank you!