CALIFORNIA – The relentless roar of flames spoke of a battle raging across the California hills. With smoke billowing into the sky, a menacing gray shroud choked the air and cast a dreadful shadow over a decimated landscape. In its wake, residents and first responders in California saw the decimation of their community. The devastating Los Angeles fires caused more than 25 deaths and destroyed over 40,000 acres.
Within those acres were schools, businesses, community centers, and homes—all of which lay in ruin—accompanied by memories of a time that now feels all too distant. For the Sanchez family, this particularly rang true.
“At 3:30 in the morning, we got an alert,” Jennifer said. “We thought it was just an order to evacuate and that we would come back. We didn’t know that we were going to come back to nothing.” Arriving home to absolute devastation took a toll not only on Jennifer, but on her children, as well. “I’m going to miss my toys and our room,” her young daughter said.
Because of your aid, Operation Blessing was on the ground amid the fires distributing hot meals, hygiene kits, baby formula, and even cookware to alleviate the urgent needs of those who had lost everything. With your help, our relief team was able to give Jennifer and her family critical supplies to help support them during this difficult time. “You guys offered your hand,” continued Jennifer, “to be able to support us and give us the guidance that we needed. … It was a blessing.”
Help for First Responders in California
But your help didn’t end there. At Fire Station 81 in Los Angeles, a critical hub in the firefighting effort, heroes faced a different sort of challenge. For first responders in California, you showed how much you care. Exhausted from the unprecedented fires, these first responders needed some encouragement and support.
When we asked them how we could help, they mentioned a need for more tools. “Some of the basic tools just to work on stuff around the station, on the rigs themselves,” said Fire Chief Maker Pashabezyan.
Because of your help, our relief teams gave the station the equipment they needed to support the first responders. To top things off, empowered by your generosity, volunteers became beacons of compassion and arrived ready to put together first responder care kits—to let firefighters know that they were not alone in their fight. Packages contained essential supplies, such as solar lamps, hygiene kits, and snacks like protein drinks and bars.
“We typically are the ones doing the supporting,” Chief Pashabezyan said, “so it’s nice to have somebody appreciate us like Operation Blessing.” The care packages were more than just supplies; they were a tangible expression of empathy, a message that resonated deeply with the firefighters.
While the fires may have scorched the Californian landscape, they couldn’t extinguish your generosity. Your compassion has brought hope and healing not just to families in California but also to the first responders, who worked tirelessly to put out the fires. Thank you for being there in this time of need!
