Numerous wildfires in the Los Angeles area in January of 2025 left thousands of people suddenly unhoused and without basic necessities. Members of our congregation at Woodland Hills Community Church watched in horror as the Palisades fire spread, and some had to evacuate from their homes. By the grace of God and through the dedication of firefighters and first responders, none of the members of our congregation lost their homes. Yet witnessing the devastation around us and particularly the impact in Altadena and surrounding areas left us with a desire to respond and make a difference in any way that we could.
Once we learned from the SCNCUCC about the Disaster Relief response coordinated through Church World Services (CWS), we immediately applied for a $250 grant from Church World Services and started raising funds through our church giving portal. This provided Pastor Sam Pullen with the confidence to purchase the supplies to assemble 1 Disaster Relief Bucket and 1 hygiene kit according to the checklist provided by CWS. On Sunday, January, 12, as the Palisades and Eaton fires were still raging uncontained, Pastor Sam shared a children’s message enlisting the youth to assemble the items into a Wildfire Relief Bucket. Our WHCC Leadership Team incorporated wildfire relief efforts into our upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend of Service.
Once we learned of the opportunity for up to $3,000 in grant funding for the Global H.O.P.E Solidarity Grant, we expanded our efforts with a goal to assemble a total of 20 relief buckets and 20 hygiene kits. On Monday, January 20, we delivered 10 Disaster Cleanup Buckets and 20 Hygiene Kits to La Cañada Congregational Church to assist those communities devastated by the Eaton Fire in Altadena/Pasadena. Our church Moderator Emily, Secretary Sarah, and our Just Peace coordinator Nita and their families attended the wildfire relief festival in La Cañada along with Pastor Sam. It was amazing to be part of a coordinated response that came together within two weeks of the outbreak of the fires.
Our church volunteers continued to assemble Disaster Cleanup Buckets and hygiene kits as back-ordered supplies continued to arrive. They also made runs to local stores to collect the remaining items on the CWS list for relief buckets. We completed an additional 20 Disaster Cleanup Buckets and 30 Hygiene kits assembled according to the CWS checklist. Thanks to buckets donated from Home Depot, combined with donated items, we were able to multiply the number of buckets and kits that we could assemble. To date, we have surpassed our initial estimated goal to complete a total of 30 Disaster Cleanup Buckets and 50 Hygiene Kits.
Rather than spending over $1500 to ship completed Disaster Cleanup Buckets to the CWS warehouse in Little Rock, Arkansas, a member of our Leadership Team coordinated with Church World Services to identify a local CWS kit depot that could utilize the buckets for ongoing Wildfire Relief efforts. This month we were able to deliver 19 Disaster Cleanup Buckets to the Salvation Army Bell Shelter in Los Angeles, CA. The 30 remaining hygiene kits were shipped to the CWS warehouse in Indiana.
We know this is just a beginning to what will be a multi-year process of recoveration, restoration, and healing in our fire-impacted communities. We are thankful for the opportunity to play a small role in the incredible experience of partnership and collaboration that is drawing communities together for good throughout our region. We look forward to continuing this ministry alongside our Southern California Nevada Conference neighbors, along with many more ecumenical, interfaith, and non-profit responders.
