Yvonne Garcia overlooked bringing Mr. Guacamole.

In the chaos of evacuating from her Altadena, California home last week, the mother of two forgot her 13-year-old daughter’s cherished Squishmallow stuffed toy. She believed she and her family would return soon. However, when she learned that their home had burned down last Tuesday, the loss of her daughter’s beloved companion intensified the tragedy.

“They kept asking, ‘Why us? Why is everything gone?’,” Garcia recounted about her daughter and her 7-year-old son.

It was unbelievable for her when, days later, she saw a post on Instagram from a team of volunteers offering to help find exact replacements for children’s lost stuffed animals due to the fires. Within just 10 minutes of adding her information to a shared Google spreadsheet, someone contacted her and arranged for a replacement for Mr. Guacamole to be sent to the family’s temporary residence, her brother-in-law’s home in San Dimas.

“To know that someone, no matter how far, was thinking about a child who lost everything and wanted to send something to provide even a bit of comfort – that was truly heartwarming.”

This initiative was spearheaded by Ashley Reckdenwald, a physician’s assistant from New Jersey, who manages a community for parents called Working Mom Notes, aiming to alleviate the burdens faced by those devastated by the wildfires in Los Angeles.

As many families have found themselves without homes, various groups, businesses, and individuals across the country, like Reckdenwald, are finding creative ways to assist those in need. They are hosting stuffed animal campaigns, offering free therapy sessions, and raising funds for service workers who have lost their jobs.

Here’s a glimpse at some of the imaginative support efforts in response to the wildfires affecting Angelenos.

Support fund for housekeepers and nannies facing job losses

Numerous residences in areas like Pacific Palisades and Altadena were engulfed in flames. Many service workers, such as housekeepers, landscapers, nannies, and elderly caregivers, are now out of work.

A Los Angeles nonprofit, One Voice, has established a fund to assist these displaced workers. Any funds raised will help former employees in these impacted communities with essential expenses like rent and food while they search for new employment, according to Tanya Lopez Brooks, a founding board member of One Voice.

“We aim to ease the burden for fire victims and families. Our goal is to alleviate the anxiety and stress for those who have lost their jobs,” Brooks stated. “Our approach is to assist the entire community in a holistic way.”

Design professionals providing housing assistance

The Expert, a home shopping platform that connects customers with leading designers, initiated a hotline on Monday to offer free one-hour video consultations to individuals who have become homeless. More than 120 designers have generously contributed upwards of 950 hours to help with inquiries about rebuilding, advice on constructing new homes, and tips to make temporary accommodations feel more comfortable without incurring vast expenses, stated CEO Leo Seigal.

Additionally, the company is setting up a public database featuring over 300 housing professionals, including designers, contractors, and architects, who are providing free or discounted services for those displaced due to the fires.

Photographers step in to replace lost memories

Local photographers are voluntarily offering their photography skills to individuals who lost treasured family photographs in the wildfires, hoping to bring some comfort and happiness back.

Rachel Gray, a family and wedding photographer from Malibu, is collaborating with hair and makeup artist Veronica Sinclair to offer complimentary maternity photoshoots for expectant mothers who lost their homes. Recently, she received a call from a husband who wanted to gift his 8-month pregnant wife a joyful experience amidst the sorrow of displacement but couldn’t afford a professional shoot.

“My goal is to provide a service to mothers who have lost their homes; I want to bring joy to this moment or create space for their grief,” Gray explained.

Other photographers from the city, known for its vibrant creative scene, are also participating in similar initiatives. LA-based photographer Andrew Max Levy shared an Instagram post Tuesday offering new family photos to anyone who lost theirs in the fires, stating that the offer is ongoing. His post garnered approximately 500,000 views, prompting responses from others in the creative industry, including film labs, producers, and makeup artists, eager to contribute their services.

Cinematic escape for those affected

As flames spread through Altadena, the operators of a nonprofit cinema managed by the Vidiots Foundation in nearby Eagle Rock recognized the need for a space where individuals could seek emotional reprieve from the distress.

Following a substantial donation from the production firm Neon, Vidiots began offering free movie screenings on Monday to provide such a refuge. They plan to continue these screenings throughout the month and potentially into February.

“We saw this as a way to help the younger members of our community get out, step away from their grief for a while,” shared Maggie Mackay, Vidiots’ executive director.

Other inventive ways people are contributing support:

LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund: The Getty Museum, along with a coalition of arts organizations, has initiated a fund to aid artists impacted by the fires.

Music community emergency fund: The Recording Academy and nonprofit MusiCares established a $1 million fund aimed at supporting fire victims who have been part of the music industry for five years or more.

Donation drive for Altadena Girls and Boys: An eighth grader from Pasadena created the Altadena Girls donation campaign to provide essential and luxury items to teenage girls who have lost their homes. This sparked a similar initiative from local boys to collect necessary items for young men.

Complimentary therapy services: The boutique Call Your Fam is connecting fire victims with therapists providing free sessions. Over 800 therapists have volunteered to offer their services. Those interested can fill out a specific form to request help.

Free moving assistance: The company Lugg is offering complimentary relocation services for individuals affected by the fires who need help moving.

Clothing donations from vintage shop: Quirk Vintage in LA is giving at least 10 free clothing items to wildfire victims and operates throughout the week from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Complimentary pet grooming: The pet salon Wag N’ Swag is organizing a free grooming day on January 18 for first responders’ pets and those affected by the fires.

Pet-friendly hotel accommodations: The Stand Up For Pits Foundation is funding 20 hotel rooms for three days for people displaced by the fires who have pets. More information can be obtained by emailing info@standupforpits.us.

Makeup donations: The local mutual aid group We Are Neighbors and Friends is collecting unused beauty and skincare products specifically for Black and Brown individuals in need.