PCC and the Community Give Back: Donation Event for Eaton Fire Survivors

At the event (Photo Melissa Michelson)

We have so much overflow…”

Do you need a [shopping] bag?”

You’re taking towels, right?”

Volunteers, we have gloves if you need them!”

These are just some sound-bytes heard at today’s Pasadena City College donation and distribution event held to support the survivors of the Eaton Fire.

By Melissa Michelson

For hours, cars dropped off supplies, clothes and food at PCC. Entering from the Del Mar and Cordova entrance, they lined up in the lower level of the student parking structure and were met by volunteers that took their donation. It was an efficient operation.

Volunteers receiving donated items at the school’s parking garage (Photo – Melissa Michelson)

Donors also parked at other campus parking lots and walked their items over, like yard rakes, animal cages, and bags of clothes. Volunteers tirelessly sorted the donations into like-items. After one hour, the piles grew exponentially.

Once sorted, items were carried upstairs to the outdoor parking lot, where they were set out in an organized fashion and made available to anyone who wanted them – no questions asked.

Donations of water, linens, pillows, shoes and many other items filled the parking lot (Photos – Melissa Michelson)

Whether bed sheets, clothes for women, men and children, shoes, dried food, canned food, fresh lettuce, fruit, toilet paper, or a warm-cooked meal donated by a local business.  Household items that may be taken for granted were in abundance.

There was even a separate station hosted by the Pasadena Humane Society, where pet owners could pick up pet food, bowls, toys, and other paraphernalia.

The donation event will continue Saturday, January 11, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm, but donated items are no longer being accepted. Volunteers can sign up at this link.

“Take whatever you need – there’s shampoo, hygiene products…”

The day was a welcome sigh of relief after three days of terrifying desolation and destruction.

Pasadena City College donation and distribution event, Jan. 10, 2025 (Photo – Melissa Michelson)