Grieving and in shock from losing her Pacific Palisades home, Christine found comfort in a calm call from the Red Cross, along with help she never imagined she’d need, or receive. (Photo courtesy of Christine).
By Jillian Robertson/American Red Cross
“Bye, house! We love you so much. We hope you survive this day.”
Those were the last words Christine said to her home in Pacific Palisades as she drove away, wildfire smoke rising in the distance. Just hours later, her house was gone.
As a single mom and widow, Christine lost more than a home. She lost much of the artwork her late husband created, the little handprint her son left on the wall that she protected for years, and the space where her family’s memories lived.
In the days that followed, Christine shut down emotionally — until a call from the Red Cross changed everything. “When the Red Cross called, she asked for my address. She was so kind, so calm,” Christine said. “It released me to cry. That was important.”
Christine received immediate help from the Red Cross, which provided financial assistance to cover basics like pajamas, toothpaste, and personal items for her son and their dog.
Months later, she received additional financial assistance — something she never expected.
“It was a profound thing for me," she said. "I’d never been on that side of things. Somehow, I had this idea — this isn’t for you.”
For Christine, it was a full-circle moment. A former Red Cross donor herself, she now felt the impact of that generosity firsthand.
“This is why [the Red Cross] is so special,” Christine said. “You make the process not just human and kind, but easy.”
Christine’s journey after the Southern California wildfires hasn’t been easy, but she’s taking it one day at a time and looking ahead with hope.
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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