Eaton Fire evacuee Blanca Perez is staying at a Red Cross shelter in Pasadena. Photo: Nancy Castles/American Red Cross
Blanca Perez’s agonizing cry of “No! No! No!” shattered the quiet of the Pasadena wildfire shelter meal hall where some people chat after dinner over coffee or catch up on email and local news.
A Red Cross volunteer rushed over to Blanca and asked what was wrong. “My uncle just died,” she cried for a loved one who was sick and in a hospital before the Eaton fire.
Blanca and the volunteer hugged for several minutes, and then they walked together to Blanca’s dorm hall. Later, a trained emotional support volunteer took the family to a private spot. The next morning a Red Cross spiritual care volunteer ensured the family connected with their church.
Four days earlier, Blanca and her family, including two dogs and three cats, had quickly evacuated from their apartment in Altadena to escape the Eaton fire. They packed some personal items, rounded up their pets and locked up Blanca's dress shop.
The whole family, including Blanca, her husband Antonio, her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend, took refuge at the shelter in Pasadena. A friend later confirmed their apartment complex of several buildings, as well as her dress shop, were destroyed in the fire.
At first, Antonio was unable to work because the Malibu restaurant that employed him was closed because of the Palisades fire. Then he received the welcome news to return to work: helping to feed firefighters and sleeping on-site so he doesn’t have to tackle the long commute from the shelter.
Blanca’s daughter and her boyfriend left the shelter to stay with friends who live closer to where they work, but Blanca says she doesn’t feel alone. She's busy taking care of their five pets, with a kitten’s antics livening up her day. Also, she received knitting needles and yarn from a donor “to keep her mind and hands busy.”
“When I think about my uncle, our home and my shop, I become sad," says Blanca. "But then I take comfort in knowing I'm not alone. I've made new friends at the shelter and the Red Cross volunteers have shown such kindness and genuine interest in our well-being.”
"I've made new friends at the shelter and the Red Cross volunteers have shown such kindness and genuine interest in our well-being," says Blanca Perez. Photo: Nancy Castles/American Red Cross
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. Discover the role that's right for you and join us today!