Shari almost didn’t stop at Venice Family Clinic’s fire relief event.

She was exhausted after fleeing her home of 35 years to escape the Palisades fire. Like so many others, she left with nothing but the essentials, believing she’d be able to return quickly. Instead, she found herself among thousands of displaced people, grappling with the stark reality that everything she owned was likely gone. Despite her exhaustion, Shari’s years as a patient at the Clinic assured her the event would connect her with the help she needed.

Shari felt a deep sense of instability as she joined nearly 400 other patients and community members whose lives had been upended by the fires. The devastation extended beyond those who lost their homes – many had lost their jobs, access to education and critical healthcare, leaving the entire extended community struggling with the need to rebuild their lives. While she waited in line, she overheard Damian Diaz, the Clinic’s community outreach coordinator, rallying the 100 volunteers gathered to help distribute supplies. “Today, we are living through history,” Damian declared. “This is a moment our city will remember forever. Recovering from it will take years. It’s going to be a marathon not a sprint, but we’re starting today.”

Shari later reflected on Damian’s words: “Hearing that gave me so much relief. It made me feel like this wasn’t going to be a one-time thing—that there would be real stability behind what the Clinic was doing.”

As Shari moved through the event, she encountered table after table brimming with resources. Volunteers handed out high-quality nonperishable food, hygiene kits, bottled water, blankets and more. The scope of the donations was overwhelming—not just items, but tools for rebuilding lives.

Toward the end of the line, Shari found herself surrounded by displays of donated clothing, jackets and shoes. “I left with just the clothes on my back,” she told Cassandra James, a first-time volunteer and recurring actress on ABC’s General Hospital. “All I want is to feel like myself again,” Shari shared. Cassandra understood the weight of those words. “I’ve seen what isolation and loss can do to someone,” she said later. “As a transgender woman, I know how much community and kindness matter. That’s why I’m here—to be present and offer a little support in someone’s hardest moment.”

Equipped with supplies and revitalized by the support she received, Shari was ready to leave. But as she turned to go, Sophia Oolie, a veteran of the hospitality industry, called her over to the hot food station. The table was filled with donations from local restaurants offering fresh pizza, hearty pastas and overflowing bags of fruits and vegetables.

“For me, there’s something fundamentally important about feeding someone a hot, nourishing meal when they’re down,” Sophia shared. “It’s about showing people they’re cared for.” As Shari took a plate, the emotion of the day caught up with her. “You know, this isn’t the first time the Clinic has saved me,” Shari told Sophia. “Years ago, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor—the kind most people don’t get better from.”

Shari shared how the Clinic’s comprehensive care helped her reduce the size of her tumor, decrease her symptoms and regain control over her life. “If I’d still been having those dizzy spells, I don’t think I would have escaped the fire. I think I would have passed out. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to help my neighbor evacuate.” Shari shakes her head. “I don’t know where I’d be without the Clinic.”

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, volunteers, staff and community partners, Venice Family Clinic’s fire relief efforts are far from over. Volunteers have delivered supplies to patients unable to attend events and ongoing gifts are helping to secure medical care, housing extensions and additional resources for patients in need.

As Shari left the event, she reflected on what the Clinic’s support meant to her. “Coming here today and seeing so many people come together to help—complete strangers—it gives me hope for the future. After today, I know I can get through this. I know I’m going to be alright.”

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We are tremendously grateful to the following donors, sponsors and partners for making our wildfire relief distributions such a success: Awater, Baadmash, Before Company, Burgers 99, Chef Dora, Ciel, Danny Boy’s, Direct Relief, Ggiata, Granville Cafe, Great White Cafe, Jon & Vinny’s, Kaiser Permanente, Kinecta Banking Services , L.A. Care, La Cosmetica, Menottis, Northgate Market, St. Clairinn, TOMS, Tacos 1986, UCLA, Vanity Group, Violet LA and Whole Foods Market.