Donation center at Santa Anita Park helping thousands of Eaton Fire victims
An outpouring of donations and a testament to the humanity of Southern Californians has overtaken Santa Anita Park where victims of the devastating wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County can find some much needed help.
Emily Thomas, a resident of Altadena for 65 years, lost her home, as did her sister as their entire neighborhood burned down in the Eaton Fire.
“You know, I never needed donations, but now I understand that need,” Thomas said. “Awful, I never thought it would be that bad.”
While she says grateful for the kindness of others, she didn’t believe when she was forced to evacuate that the fire would destroy her home and the homes of others.
“I really thought we were coming back home,” she said. “I thought we were coming home the next morning.”
“It’s a bit overwhelming, but we’re going to get through it eventually,” Altadena resident Jasmine Pallard told KTLA’s Jennifer McGraw.
As people across the L.A. region take advantage of the humanitarian efforts, there are also those helping people’s pets with Pasadena Humane opening its kennels for families trying to get reestablished after losing everything.
In the parking lot of Santa Anita Park, thousands of people worked together to help one another not only by providing food items or clothing but also by bringing back some hope for the future.
Aubrey Watson, a victim of the Eaton Fire told KTLA that a lot of places she’s tried to stay at don’t want to take in big dogs.
“We have to find somewhere to stay,” she said.
James Comisar, a volunteer with Pasadena Humane, people have also been bringing in animals that have been found on the street, as well as pets they can’t house at the moment.
As for Watson, she said leaving their family dog behind has been most difficult for her children.
“Oh, for my boys, it’s hard for them,” she explained.
Thousands of displaced people have made their way to Santa Anita Park just looking for the bare necessities.
Organizers told KTLA that they are no longer taking donations as of 9 p.m. tonight as they are running out of space to store items.