Support the Babbitts: Recovering from LA Fires

The fires in LA have been deemed the worst natural disaster in US history. I'd imagine many of us have at least one person touched by this tragedy. My person is the most amazing family, the Babbitts.

Those of you who know Grant and Ashley Babbitt, know that they are the kindest, most humble, and caring people. They are fantastic parents of four children between the ages of 4 and 11. Friends since around 2008-2009, I have known Grant and Ashley while they were both students studying film and dance. After graduation they packed up their lives from Kansas in 2011 and relocated in California to enter the film industry. Grant is a hard-working freelancer in VFX and cinematography, who also works as an educator at one of LA's high schools dedicated to the arts. Ashley is an amazing mom who volunteers at both of the children's schools and creates endless learning opportunities for hers and other's children.

This incredible family needs our help!

On Tuesday, January 7th, the Babbitt family heard the sirens to evacuate their home in Altadena, CA due to the pathway of the quickly growing Eaton fire. They fled with packed bags and really scared children. It's their home, their community, and they built a family and life there.

By the following morning, the fire reached their area and hopped around the neighborhood, burning through parts of their children's schools, historic sites, museums, restaurants, shopping locales, and destroyed homes of countless friends and families in their community. It upended life.

Grant was able to learn that their home was miraculously still standing as of 10am on January 9th, despite structures burnt around it. However, it is not the end of the Eaton Canyon Fire. With continued high winds, new fire threats continue to surge each night, and Eaton has continued to spread and engulf more of Altadena. It is still not safe to return, and may be inaccessible and inhabitable for quite sometime.

As of now, each day is a struggle as they overcome shock, sadness, and instability. 

I had the opportunity to visit and work with Grant in December 2024. I got to spend time at their house, played with their kids, and visited the local middle school. Grant and Ashley would give you the shirt off their backs. This truly wonderful family now needs our support as we rally around them to start again.

Please consider helping Grant, Ashley, and their four kids find a new path forward.

All funds received in this GoFundMe initiative go directly to Grant and Ashley Babbitt's account. As a friend, fellow Jayhawk, and fundraising facilitator, this campaign was one way I thought of helping them from afar. They have enough tragedy and housing insecurity to manage as they are currently continuing to stay safe and support the emotional impact on their children.

This message will continue to be updated as new information about their status comes in.

Updated: Wednesday, January 16, 2025 12:27PM under guidance of disaster recovery efforts

Updated: Saturday, January 11th at 7:25PM