YMCA Offer Free Merchandize to Fire Survivors

Fire survivors lined up outside the Collin & Katz YMCA.

The Palisades Lowe Family YMCA offered a free holiday shopping spree today, December 21 at the Collin & Katz YMCA in West L.A. The doors opened at 10 a.m. and about a thousand people had lined up for free merchandise. The event was specifically for Eaton and Palisades Fire survivors.

The line stretched around the building to the parking lot, inside through the lobby and then snaked down the hallway to the gymnasium. The first 100 received $100 gift cards to a grocery store.

Once inside there were shoes from Nike and new Balance for men, women and children. Each family was allowed one pair for someone in the family. There were hoodies, shirts and shorts and toys. Each family was allowed one Stanley 40 oz. tumbler.

Palisades Y Executive Director Jim Kirtley said that the donor was Good Sports. “They have given to Y programming in the past and are a great community partner for us.

“I can’t say enough about how their generosity has impacted Palisades youth and families,” he said.

Palisades YMCA Executive Director Jim Kirtley stood next to new shoes that were being given away.

In line were numerous Palisadians who were greeting others who are also grappling with the disaster, the financial issues and the loss of their homes and community.

Marsha Kamer said, “We appreciate being remembered by the YMCA, when so much of the world has move on.”

Two other residents chimed in that “It is much appreciated.” One said, “We’re just starting to realize what we don’t have.” The second said, “Like cinnamon.” She had started her holiday baking and realized she didn’t have spices.

The first said, “In your brain you still have it and only realize you don’t when you need it. Every day there’s something else you realize you don’t have.”

Another couple in line needing to rebuild from scratch were 33-year residents Dayle and Joe Hartnett, who lost their home. “We lot our business, Pacific Film Foundation,” Dayle said and noted that they failed to bring any of the film material when they evacuated. “We didn’t think to grab it, I didn’t even bring my computer.”

Also in the line was long-time Palisades Huntington resident Dave Borgenson. “Merry Christmas,” he said and explained that the family is four and a half months into construction and hope they’ll have shingles on the roof before the predicted rains this week.

Barry McManus, a Y-Volunteer and a Bowl Resident, who lost his home, held up two of the choices for kids: Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels.

Kirtley was asked about the Y Christmas tree lot and how sales were this year, since the town was decimated.

“We made about 40 percent of what we usually do,” he said. “But people were happy we were there and some traveled up to the lot to buy a tree.” Many Palisadians were displaced after the fire and live out of area.

Kirtley said that about 150 trees will be donated to the St. Agatha Catholic Church located off West Adams Boulevard and La Brea. “The trees go to families that would not have had one otherwise,” he said.

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