On Saturday, February 8, Westridge held a donation distribution center for families affected by the Eaton fire. To prepare for the event, Westridge collected items such as new and gently used books, school supplies, stuffed animals, toys, and gift cards. Led by Service and Engagement Coordinator Ms. Erica St. John, students, parents, and faculty came together to sort donation items and manage the distribution center. Volunteers gave out the donated goods to Westridge families, employee families, and students in the Partnership for Success program impacted by the fire.
With over 40 volunteers working the event, the community set up distribution booths of books, toys, school supplies, and baked goods and welcomed over 80 families into the State Street Parking Lot. Westridge parents and Upper School students volunteered and organized the donations for families who attended. Senior Audrey B., a Westridge service representative, specialized in suggesting young adult books for teens rebuilding their personal library. The opportunity to volunteer brought her mixed emotions. “It definitely made me emotional at first…But again, helping pick out books and see what they liked…that was really fulfilling,” she said.
Leading up to the drive, from January 27 to February 3, Ms. St. John and parent volunteers collected donation items from students dropping off items in bins in the front of the State Street Parking Lot. Ms. St. John and the Westridge service representatives promoted the drive through emails, social media posts, and carline flyers. In addition, the service representatives and student volunteers reached out to local businesses asking for donations to the drive. Among the businesses that donated goods were Chevalier’s Books, Dinosaur Farm, Glossier, and the South Pasadena Trader Joe’s.
Junior Micaela R. volunteered at the center and donated school supplies and books to the drive. When the fires initially started, Micaela could not volunteer at other organizations because of the poor air quality’s impact on her asthma. She found the February 8 drive helpful for the community to take initiative. “Students are taking matters into their own hands. It’s beautiful seeing different age groups come together and figure out ways to help [after the fires],” she said.
Alongside student volunteers, faculty and staff also offered to help support the facilitation of the drive. Ms. Kellie Forester, Westridge Advancement Coordinator and a faculty volunteer, reflected on the outcome and coordination for the event. “Finding places on campus to store [donations] was challenging, but seeing all of the kids and the families and alumni come together to donate things was really special,” she said.
As the drive concluded at 3:00 p.m., there was still a surplus of donated items. Extra school supplies, books, and playground equipment went toward local schools that were destroyed from the Eaton fire including Altadena Arts Magnet and Odyssey Charter School.
Senior Sydney S. helped support the drive through volunteering and reaching out to local stores to donate. She noted the importance of community coming together after the fires. She said, “Giving is really important. Giving time, giving donations, volunteering, giving items [to donate], that makes a really great difference.”
