Dispatch from LA

Smoky skies and a heavy heart

Yesterday we woke up to an LA we didn’t recognize. Wild winds and a hazy film over the sun. We watched the news following fires around the city, the evacuation zones grow wider until the border was so close to the major intersection near our house that I stood up and packed the ‘go bag’. Something I’ve never done before. Passports, birth certificates, winter coats for the kids. Our most important possessions, swept into a few boat & totes. Everything feels important until you have 30 minutes and then nothing feels important at all.

We made it through the night and were able to stay in our house, but so many people have lost everything. Truly the destruction and loss is too much to bear. Homes, business and schools on such a massive scale it’s hard to comprehend how life here will ever look the same.

It’s not over by any means and incomprehensibly fires are still popping up. We’ve been putting together bags of clothes and toiletries for people who’ve lost their homes, and I’m including below a list of ways to help and donate:

For the locals:

• +COOP at 7282 Beverly Boulevard near Hancock Park. Today through Sunday they accepting the following: NEW Women’s, Men’s and Kids clothing and shoes, jackets, beanies, gloves, underwear and socks. New toys and art supplies. Chargers, leashes and dog beds. Especially GIFT CARDS. Donate to people who need things NOW, or if you’ve been affected it’s a place where you can go and take what you need.

• The Volunteer Collective has compiled a list of volunteer opportunities preparing and delivering meals and collecting food donations.

Near and Far:

• Los Angeles Fire Department emergency funding site provides immediate resources to firefighters.

• The LA Times complete list of places to donate can be found here.

The view through my window as I write this

Stay safe and we’ll get through this together.

All my love,

Abby