A 14-year-old teen in Los Angeles recently launched the "Altadena Girls" recovery fund for the victims of the wildfires. Less than 24 hours later, her initiative became a movement with celebrities posting about the recovery fund.
Avery Colvert, 14, launched the donation drive on January 11, only hours after the Eaton Fire destroyed much of Eliot Arts Magnet Academy---where she and her friend attended school. The movement aims to help fire-displaced teens reclaim a sense of normalcy and self-expression.
"I envisioned my own bedroom and I was thinking about how my clothes, makeup, and shoes—everything—is my identity and it's my sense of self. And it's the same thing for all of my friends and all these girls who lost everything in the fire," she said in an interview with Time Magazine.
The project quickly gained momentum when celebrities like Paris Hilton, Mindy Kaling, and Charli XCX shared it on social media.
What Impact Has the Recovery Fund Made?
Hours after Colvert and her family launched "Altadena Girls," more than a dozen volunteers showed up to the temporary shelters she was staying in to help with organizing the donations. Trucks of donations followed after.
By the end of Saturday, the teen said her initiative had already gotten messages from Huda Beauty, Orebella, and Skims.
The recovery fund is prioritizing collecting specific items—such as clothes, makeup, and hygiene products. Monetary donations are not accepted and are instead directed to established GoFundMe campaigns. It is also not accepting used items.
Colvert is also planning to expand "Altadena Girls" beyond the immediate basic supplies to address other emerging needs, such as mental health resources for victims of the Eaton Fire.
Los Angeles Wildfires Updates
As of Sunday, firefighters are still working to contain the blazes, with threats remaining "very high" due to the Santa Ana winds. The Palisades Fire, responsible for five confirmed deaths, is 11% contained. The Eaton Fire, responsible for 11 deaths, is at least 27% contained.
To help with the containment efforts, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has recruited 931 inmates around the clock to help cut the fire lines and remove fuel from behind structures in hopes of slowing the spread of the flames.
All inmates will be paid between $5.80 and $10.24 for their service. They can also be given an additional $1 per hour if they are assigned to an active emergency. Furthermore, most inmates would be granted two additional days off their sentence for each day they participate in the efforts, according to CNN.
