Community Unites to Support John Muir Students Affected by Eaton Fire

Madeline (Maddy) Townsend and Devon Berg (Photo – Michelle Townsend)

In a show of solidarity and compassion, students, parents, and volunteers came together over the weekend of May 3rd and 4th to support John Muir High School students impacted by the devastating Eaton Fire.

By News Desk

The recovery event, hosted at John Muir and sponsored by the John Muir Early College Magnet Parent, Teacher, and Student Association (PTSA), was led by two student-founded organizations: MY Closet Box and Students Rebuild Altadena.

The Eaton Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires to hit the region in recent years, left several families in the Pasadena Unified School District homeless, including students at John Muir. In response, MY Closet Box and Students Rebuild Altadena delivered 82 custom care packages filled with high-quality clothing and essential items to affected students.

The effort was spearheaded by Madeline (Maddy) Townsend, founder of MY Closet Box, and Devon Berg, founder of Students Rebuild Altadena. Townsend, a high school student with a passion for fashion, created MY Closet Box to help young people express themselves confidently through personalized clothing selections—regardless of financial barriers.

Students were invited to fill out forms outlining their style preferences and interests. Based on their responses, volunteers assembled individualized boxes aimed at restoring a sense of normalcy and self-expression through clothing.

Berg, who founded Students Rebuild Altadena the day after his own home was destroyed by the fire, emphasized the importance of community-driven recovery. “These boxes represent just a small gift to the students of John Muir as they have gone through so much,” he said. “I hope it brings them comfort. Hopefully, together, we can help rebuild Altadena and Pasadena.”

With support from the John Muir PTSA, the event highlighted the strength of youth-led initiatives and the power of community collaboration in the face of crisis.

Scenes from the event (Photo – Michelle Townsend)