Mesa man seeks support after family home is destroyed in California wildfires
MESA, Ariz. - As the devastating videos pour in from California, Arizonans are stepping up to help their neighbors in need.
It was Mr. Rogers who once said: If there are scary events happening in the world, look for the helpers.
Here in Arizona, helpers to aid California are all around, offering time, money and donations.
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What caused the California fires? What we know
A rare combination of risk factors in Los Angeles County has sparked a series of deadly wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.
Andre Cathern lives in Mesa and his parents lost their California home in the firestorm.
"There’s been other fires, but you never think it’s going to be your house. You never think that it’s going to be your family that’s affected!" he said.
Rubble and soot is all that's left of his family home in the wake of the L.A. wildfires.
"There’s a lot of memories growing up in that house. They’ve been living in that same house since 1971, so over 50 years," Cathern said.
His parents were forced to leave with very little besides the clothes on their backs.
"They’ve lost everything. There’s nothing there to come back to," he said.
The Cathern family is one of thousands impacted by the fires.
Andre set up a GoFundMe page for help. That is where Arizonans can get involved.
Photos courtesy of Andre Cathern
Local Perspective
Arizonans and Arizona businesses are trying to give their neighbors to the west a little relief.
Mesquite Fresh Tex Mex will donate 5% of all burrito sales through January to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
"We saw the tragedy that was going on, and thought it was super important to give back to the people who need it the most," said Hammer Atwan, director of operations for Mesquite.
Also giving a hand, or rather a teddy bear, is Arizona non-profit comfort bears, founded by Mimi Hymel.
"I’m actually a child survivor of Hurricane Katrina. So, I lost my favorite teddy bear in the floodwaters of Katrina. That’s what sparked this whole mission for me," she said.
Comfort bears, alongside Coulter Infiniti in East Mesa, are hoping to stuff 20-25 QX-80s with stuffed animals.
All the bears, smiling Garfields and grinning Hello Kitties will be driven by volunteers next Saturday to give to California kids who lost everything.
WATCH FOX 10 Phoenix live:
"Children often don’t understand that the essential items are essential. They just want that toy, that comfort item that they had to leave behind that just helps to bring them comfort and soothe them during such a challenging time," Mimi says.
A small gesture of kindness when there’s so much sadness and grief.
"There’s so much need in this world, especially with all the catastrophes that happen all over the place, that I believe it’s our duty to help as much as we can," said Henry Rivero, general manager of Coulter Infiniti.