Pasadena Village has a history of reaching out and supporting members, usually through life transitions. Last January we met the challenge of supporting our members and others in the local community through the catastrophe of the Eaton Fire.

Our newsletter articles, social media posts, monthly calendars, and member bulletins all have shared information about the many ways we reached out and supported – and are continuing to support – our members and the greater community affected by the fire. While staff and volunteers were reaching out to members in the burn area, others were beginning to make donations to the Village to help our community. Donations ranged from $5 to thousands of dollars. People also donated household items, bought toiletries, prepared meals, did laundry, and offered up rooms in their own houses.

A new chapter began in late November when the Village was notified that the California Foundation would like us to distribute $450,000 in grants. The $450,000 would be given in grants to seniors affected by the Eaton Fire, with an additional $50,000 going to the Village for administrative costs. We were selected because of our track record in supporting seniors in the community. Other local agencies were also given grants to disburse.

On December 3, 2025, Katie Brandon, Executive Director, sent out an update to Village Members, outlining the various grants we had received and how they were being used to support seniors affected by the Eaton Fire. She shared that efforts would be shifting from relief to recovery and introduced the information about the California Community Foundation funding. At that time Village Board members were nominating members to be on the Fire Recovery Team which would lay out the procedures to distribute the grant money.

The Fire Recovery Team was formed of 8 villagers – John Jackson, Peggy Henderson, Lorrie Gray, Jeff Gutstadt, Mike Zoeller, Stuart Sigman, Melva Watts, Suzi Hoge, and one community member, Lena Kennedy. During the next weeks the group introduced themselves and established meeting dates/times. Procedures were established. An application form and process were laid out. To qualify for a grant, the applicant had to be a senior (age 55+), have their home (rent or own) destroyed or damaged by the fire, still be unable to return to their home, and have received Pasadena Village support in 2025 (gift card, community event, air purifier, etc.).

Pasadena Village staff contacted people who had received support in 2025 and outlined the grant procedure/form. Applicants were able to provide their information for the forms. The Village staff confirmed the impacted addresses and removed identifying information from the applications.

The Fire Recovery Team members received the applications for review. Each team member read all the applications. A few applications were deemed ineligible because the applicant was not a senior or had returned to their home. The Team then began lots and lots of discussion. Each applicant’s story was different. Their needs were very different. Eventually, it was decided to grant money to every eligible applicant on a percentage basis. Applicants received between $5,000 and $8,175. Melva Watts, Recovery Team member, shared, “Working on the Fire Recovery team was an eye opening experience for me. I knew some of the fire victims were having difficulties, but reading the individual stories made their situations much more real. I am grateful to Pasadena Village for giving me the opportunity to contribute.”

The Recovery Team met for the last time on February 24th. The applicants were informed and were able to pick up their checks beginning Wednesday and/or attend a reception/coffee on Saturday, February 28, to meet staff, committee members, fellow applicants and pick up their checks then. The Team and staff wanted to make sure that the checks made it safely into the applicant’s hands. To ensure accuracy in delivery, the ID’s of applicants were also checked by staff. The last check was picked up on Monday, March 9.

Comments by some of the grant recipients:

“I am speechless. Thanks to the Recovery Team and I will see you on Saturday!! Good news has been a little hard to find of late. This is cause for celebration!!”

“Overwhelmed with gratitude.”

“Thank you for identifying me as a recipient for funds. They will be used immediately to cover the cost of my rebuild, specifically, the architect and structural engineer. My plans were submitted on Friday, 2/20/26. Once they are approved, I must pay the balance owed to the architect and structural engineer in the amount of $20,000.00. Whatever amount I receive will help with the payoff.”

“News of the very best kind!”

“Thank you so much for your financial support! I am truly grateful! Your donation will help with general expenses needed on our journey to rebuild our home.”

“I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and Pasadena Village for your incredible support during this challenging period as we rebuild our home and lives. Your kindness means the world to us.”

“Thanking you, from the bottom of my heart!! On behalf of my family.”

The expressions of gratitude by the fire survivors who received grants reinforced our feelings of community both within Pasadena Village and in the larger community.

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