🫶 love to LA
How to support those impacted by the fires
Hi friends.
I’m writing to you this evening with a few requests. But first — some context.
My family home burned down in the LA fires last week.
I grew up in California between Palo Alto and the Pacific Palisades — anyone else here in the Divorced Parents Club? I’ve called the Palisades home since I was 9 years old. I taught swimming lessons at the YMCA there. I went to summer camp at one of the local schools. I’ve watched a lot of sunsets on that bluff.
Seeing a photo of one of my childhood homes turned to ash made my whole body shake, ache, and go numb.
My heart breaks daily for my parents, my brothers, our dogs, myself and everyone else who will never be able to return to what once was.
Quite frankly… I’m also more than a little pissed off — hey, just being honest.
And I’m also grateful.
It’s in these situations that we realize that so many things can exist at once and that’s both freeing and also freakin’ annoying.
Sending my love to anyone else impacted (directly and indirectly) by the fires. 💟
Remember to be kind to one another.
The world is literally burning right now. Check on your friends, neighbors, and even strangers. Unfortunately, I wasn’t met with the kindness I needed in a moment this past weekend. You can read about my experience in the post below.
Are you in a position to support those impacted by the LA fires?
A lot of folks have been generously asking how to support me and my family right now. While I’ll never turned down a baked good, I kindly ask you to choose from one of the following if you still have some funds left in your donation budget.
Donate to World Central Kitchen
Sean and I are raising money for WCK to support those impacted and first responders. Sean’s company will match all donations, dollar for dollar, up to $10K.
We’re at $1,891 (which will be $3,782!) but I’d love to hit that BIG GOAL!
You can send me a Venmo and we’ll donate it all when we reach our goal! Receipt of donation will be shared with all donors.
Proud to report that we raised over $12K (with the matching) to donate to WCK and LAFD. If you still feel called to donate to WCK, you can do so below:
Support Antonio Neves by buying the 1-Day Planner
Antonio was my first boss out of college and has remained a supportive champion, friend, and mentor to me for many years. I wouldn’t be who I am today without his support and unfortunately his family also lost their home in the fire.
You can buy one of his awesome books or get his planner, which I designed!
Help support Sara and Katie
Katie, who also goes by Seven, is a dear friend of my brother’s and talented music producer. She and her mom lost everything in the Palisades fire.
You can also support the group of folks who are cleaning up and restoring the Palisades. Or buy some natural wine from Catch & Release, who’s donating all proceeds til Friday. Or just add some stuff to your Amazon cart and call it a day.
Remember us in a few weeks… months… years.
If I learned anything in the last year, it’s that the time immediately following a traumatic event is when people support you the most, yet it’s weeks or months down the line that you actually need it the most. Recovery from these fires (which are still going on, by the way) will take a longggggg time.
Please continue to donate, check-in on friends, and send love to anyone impacted by the fires.
All my love and thank you for reading,
Zoë