Altadena resident Brenton Carter and his family lost two homes to the destructive Eaton Fire. In the aftermath, the Red Cross offered financial assistance, helping Brenton and his family replace essential items and providing support as they continued their recovery. Brenton made a point to thank Red Cross caseworker Gigi Watson for her help in ensuring he and his family received the information and financial support needed. Photos by Mimi Teller/American Red Cross.
By Mimi Teller/American Red Cross
Altadena resident Brenton Carter had spent most of his life in one of two homes his great-grandparents bought in 1959. The houses, standing across the street from each other, had been a cornerstone of his family’s history for over 65 years. Generations of births, memories, holidays —were held within those walls.
But everything changed in an instant when the Eaton Fire tore through the area, consuming both homes in its destructive path. In one fell swoop, Brenton’s family lost not only the buildings but also irreplaceable family heirlooms and decades of memories that had been passed down through generations.
For years, Brenton and many of his neighbors had received wildfire evacuation notices. “People older than me—40, 50, 60 years old—have been through twenty evacuation notices,” he said. “So we didn’t take it serious.”
He recalled that during previous fires, residents expected to be back in their homes within a few hours. “Nobody grabbed water, extra clothes, or a toothbrush. We thought it would be one of those times. ”This time was different. When the fire reached our neighborhood, we had little time to respond. Brenton shared that his family and most of their neighbors were unable to gather important belongings. “Things that are sentimental, that don’t have a dollar value—like diplomas or ashes from family members—were left behind,” he said.
In the months that followed, Brenton, along with his family, began the arduous task of rebuilding their lives. They reached out to the American Red Cross, who offered financial assistance to help them recover from the devastation. The support allowed them to replace essentials—things that couldn’t be bought back but were necessary to start again.
For Brenton, one of the most personal and meaningful steps in his recovery was rebuilding a part of his identity: his beloved sneaker collection. A "Sneakerhead” since high school, Brenton had spent years carefully curating a selection of rare, limited-edition athletic shoes. The fire destroyed most of them, but a small stroke of luck had left a few pairs at his sister’s house. "I was so happy to find I still had these" he said pointing to his tiger striped kicks, but the pain of the loss was still clear in his eyes.
Brenton and his family had little time to grab belongings when evacuating their homes. Priceless items—like diplomas and family remains were lost in the flames. A "Sneakerhead" since high school, Brenton had spent years curating limited-edition athletic shoes which were nearly all lost in the fire. With Red Cross aid, his family can replace necessary items and Brenton can reclaim an important piece of his identity.
As Brenton prepared to leave the Red Cross assistance center, he spotted Gladys “Gigi” Watson, a volunteer who had been instrumental in his Red Cross journey. Without hesitation, he walked over to thank her with a giant hug. “This lady here helped me a lot,” Brenton said, his voice thick with gratitude. “I am so grateful for the help she gave me.”
While Brenton’s journey of recovery is still ongoing, the fire’s devastation has not broken his spirit. Supported by the Red Cross and other community partners, he’s taking each step forward—one pair of sneakers at a time.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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