Celeste Cruz
Aftermath of the LA fires
On March 15, students volunteered to clean up homes damaged by the Eaton Fire. Even though only a few students were able to go, we still made a real impact and walked away with a new appreciation for what we have.
The fire relief event took place in a neighborhood that had been hit hard. Families had lost everything, homes, photos, memories. Around five students were placed in each group to help, and even though it wasn’t a lot of us, we worked hard to help families recover small but meaningful items. “When I saw the burned houses, my first thought was how sad and overwhelming it was,” said Owen. “It felt so heavy because the home was gone, and I could see how much pain the families must be feeling.”
We worked alongside a group called Samaritan’s Purse, who had already been helping for over a month. Our job was to search through ash and debris for anything we could find, jewelry, keepsakes, or anything that could be saved. “A moment that really stuck with me was when we showed the family the valuable things we found because we were able to give them things they were looking for,” said Priscilla. “This changed my perspective by seeing the side of the families that were affected and the impact that it had on them.”
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, more than 500 structures were destroyed during this fire season. Many families are still recovering. Being there in person made it all feel real. It was one thing to hear about wildfires on the news, but another to see the burned-down homes, smell the smoke, and look into the eyes of people who lost everything. “It was important for ELARA to assist with the Eaton Fire cleanup because witnessing the disaster in person helped us all put the situation into perspective,” said Ms. Cruz, the teacher who organized the trip. “While we merely volunteered for 4 hours, Samaritan’s Purse was on day 40, and at the end of the day, it was very clear that communities thrive when we come together to support one another during difficult times.” She also said the experience helped students “foster a deeper sense of responsibility and empathy” and get a better understanding of what others go through.
Fires like the Eaton Fire are happening more often because of dry weather and climate change. The fire lasted for days and took a major toll on families. Samaritan’s Purse had already been on site for weeks, and even though our group of students wasn’t very big, we joined in and made a difference. Ms. Cruz explained that hands-on experiences like this help students step outside their comfort zone and “participate in real world issues that at times seem so far away from us.”
We’re continuing to help by collecting donations like clothes, school supplies, and hygiene products for families still trying to recover. If you want to help, ask a teacher or look for signs around campus with donation box locations. A small act of kindness can go a long way.
This experience reminded us how fast everything can be taken away. “I realized how quickly everything can be lost and how important it is to be prepared. It made me appreciate what I have even more,” said Owen. We may have been a small group, but we showed that even a few students can make a huge difference when we come together.