Showing Love to Our Volunteers

The Los Angeles fires have left an indelible mark across Los Angeles County. We’ve seen so much devastation and heartbreak, with tens of thousands of people impacted. But over the last month, so many people have opened their hearts, generously donating their time and talents to support the community they love.

In February alone so far, 119 Angelenos have spent more than 1,000 hours supporting CORE’s response. From packing hygiene kits, to working at local shelters, and distributing cash assistance, these volunteers are changing lives each and every day. This Valentine’s Day, we want to highlight their amazing work, incredible spirit, and outpouring of love for their neighbors.

Dena

Dena volunteered at a recent CORE event, where we provided much-needed resources like N95 masks, cases of water, hygiene kits, and kid-friendly gift bags to local families. As an Altadena resident, she’s grateful that her home made it through the fires unscathed. But she’s still feeling the effects of the devastation.

“My home wasn’t impacted but everything around me was. The school where I work was completely burned down. My church caught on fire. Loma Alta Park, where I would spend every summer … The Little Red Hen Coffee Shop … 20 of my close friends’ and family members’ homes… they are completely gone,” Dena shared.

Despite all the challenges, she’s determined to keep giving back to her community as we work together to rebuild. Dena even hopes to start a support group to help others through this crisis. “It’s important for (survivors) to know you are not by yourself.”

Amal

Amal has worked with children for 35 years – more than a decade of which she spent as a teacher in Pasadena. After the Eaton fire broke out, she immediately looked for opportunities to support the community. Amal connected with CORE at the Pasadena evacuation shelter, where we set up a child-friendly space for little ones to create and play while their parents or guardians figured out their next steps. She was happy to spend time with the kids, sharing how the space offered everyone some reprieve from the overwhelming circumstances.

“When I came to be a volunteer here, I came in tears because I was so happy this happened, because these children deserve it. They are going through a hard, hard time.”

Stacey

Stacey has been volunteering with CORE since our COVID-19 response in 2020, spending her time canvassing neighborhoods and working at the many vaccination clinics across Los Angeles. After seeing the devastating fires, she knew she had to do something.

So, she reached back out to CORE and volunteered at a distribution event put on by LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis in Irwindale that saw more than 1,000 families receive food, water, hygiene kits, and N95 masks.

“With an occurrence like the fires we’re experiencing in Los Angeles, you just want to put your emotions some place, and the best thing I think you can do is get out and really serve in the community.”

Liz and Danny

Liz and Danny decided to volunteer at a CORE distribution event at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Altadena after seeing CORE board member Soleil Moon Frye post about it online.

“We saw the work that CORE was doing and got inspired to try to help out any way we can,” Danny said.

The event saw hundreds of people and families come through and receive vital supplies, including food, water and hygiene kits.

Jenny

Nurse Jenny has been a volunteer with CORE since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I love working with CORE and I’m always happy to help,” she shared at the East LA Civic Center Community Resource Fair, which took place within the first week of the devastating LA fires.

Nurse Jenny, alongside other CORE medical volunteers, conducted medical checks for Angelenos who have been impacted by the fires, including people with chronic conditions.