People lined up before the popup recovery event started.
The Palisades Long Term Recovery Group, in conjunction with Rotary District 5280 and GEM hosted a recovery popup on November 22, 2025, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 283.
The event was solely for Eaton and Palisades fire survivors. The street in front of the Legion was closed to traffic and a free lunch was provided by the Southern Baptists was available. There was a kid’s zone with activities that allowed parents to chat uninterrupted with the numerous resources inside, such as free insurance advice from United Insurance Company, building information from Habitat for Humanity, legal resources, financial aid, wellness opportunities, employment information and the local Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness. (To see a complete list of resources, go to the website click here to 2025 LA Fires Community Guide.)
Different nonprofits were available to help fire survivors in the legion hall.
After meeting with different volunteers and groups, people were channeled out the back door to the parking lot to receive free toiletries such as Kleenex, lotion, tampons and other donated items such high-end foreign skin care products. There were air filters, heavy blankets and toys for dogs. There were women’s high heels and high-heeled boots in various sizes, free socks and numerous T-shirts from organizations in the NBA – but no Laker or Clippers shirts. There were people attending who seemed to know how to handle this kind of handout, because they had pull wagons to pile with goods.
If a resident is having trouble with mortgage or rebuilding and seems stuck, the Pali LTFG will work with a surivor and assign a case worker, to help move you “forward.” Reach out to the recovery group via the website.
The group’s mission is to identify and connect survivors to a network of donor relief organizations, providing resources such as money, manpower, materials, and education.
Pali LTFG uses a program called Disaster Case Management to help those most in need, including the uninsured, underinsured, the elderly, and those with special needs. They will provide resources for items not covered by insurance or federal assistance.
Jim Cragg is the group’s president and board chair, and Jessica Rogers is the executive director. They want to reach out to people who might have not yet been identified, who have needs. E-mail info@PaliLTRG.org
In the garage behind the Legion there were shoes and other goods for survivors.
(Editor’s note: This editor, who is also a fire survivor, is grateful for all the goods that seem to be channeled to survivors but also wonders if those companies donating get a tax break. It just seems like some companies are dumping products they didn’t sell. This editor also wonders if a gift card to a drug store, might not allow survivors to buy their own hair care products or feminine hygiene products. It seems like there is a survivor industry.)
Sue, I agree there is a survivor ecosystem. I was amazed at the people who showed up looking for ‘free’ stuff. As you point out, they had hand carts, hand carts, and wheel barrels. The demographics didn’t match up with the typical palisadian. It would be informative to learn how the vendors figured out about this event and how people were informed as many seemed to come from outside the community. Ahh the advantages of social media and the ease at which one can create an affinity group. As much as this helps the survivors, I think there are many grifters skimming off the top. Reminds me of the FireAid who gathered so much money in our name. I don’t know anybody who received funds to replace their home. It sure would be nice if those funds were used to plug the supposed hole in the LADBS budget created by the fire while the people rebuilding incur real out of pocket expenses.
Grifters gonna grift.