PASADENA, Calif.—Dianne Lewis’ home was destroyed in flames from the Eaton Fire, but she has been working to help the people in her community recover. Despite her personal loss, in words and in deeds, she is praying daily for everyone impacted by the fire to restore their homes, stay in their community, and work together to rebuild it.
At Final Call presstime the wildfires in Los Angeles County continued and thousands of people were still under evacuation orders. The Eaton fire had burned 14,117 acres and was 55 percent contained.

The Palisades fire had burned 23,713 acres and was 22 percent contained. Thousands of structures have been destroyed and damaged. The death toll from both fires was at 27, according to the LA Times.
“What’s disturbing to me is my community is an older community. My neighbor is 96 and his wife is 92, and they live together,” said Ms. Lewis, CEO of the Alkebu-Lan Cultural Center in Pasadena. She sent her son to help prepare the elderly couple to evacuate, she said.
“We’ve been there for 30-40 years. We’ve all checked in with each other. My whole block, both sides, is totally collapsed,” said Ms. Lewis. Many of them were able to go to relatives’ homes, and she’s at her daughter’s house, she added.
She is also being cared for by close friends, her first cousin and her community, she told Nation of Islam Western Region Student Minister Abdul Malik Sayyid Muhammad, during his visit to the community impacted by the fires.
Ms. Lewis also lost her cars in the fire. They received evacuation alerts on their phones, and she was going to drive her car, but her son did not want them separated. “He said, ‘No! Ma! You’re riding with me,’” she recalled.
At presstime, National Guard members had not let them back to survey their home, or what’s left of it, she said. “They’re all posted because people are going through people’s stuff,” she stated. She was unable to get any important papers out. Nothing, she added.
“It’s been rough,” acknowledged Student Min. Abdul Malik Sayyid Muhammad. The current priority is to embrace the people impacted like Ms. Lewis and the community and to see to their needs, he explained.
“I don’t think the fire looked at any of us and what color we were; the wind did not pick each house. I have 48 people in my church that lost their homes completely,” said Ms. Lewis.

“It’s very hard,” she added, before breaking down in tears after Pastor Mark Chase said a prayer for peace and healing.
Serving a need and lending a hand
Among the volunteers who have lent a helping hand to aid in wildfire recovery efforts were community residents, activists, members of the Nation of Islam and volunteers from the Church of Scientology.
“We all have to work together,” said Ms. Lewis.
“I’m just so thankful today to have the Nation of Islam out here with us to serve the community of Altadena/Pasadena, Minister Muhammad and his team coming through. This is the only Black center in San Gabriel Valley,” said activist and organizer Heavenly Hughes of My Tribe Rise, referring to the cultural center.
Ms. Lewis’ Alkebu-Lan Cultural Center allowed Ms. Hughes to set up the “We Will Rise” resource hub, to specifically serve those displaced due to the Eaton Canyon Fire, she told The Final Call. They have learned through surveys that those residents still with homes need air filters.
They also need underwear and shoes “because many people walked out, or ran out, rather, with what they had at that moment,” said Ms. Hughes. Many cars were burned, so delivering to meet people where they are is crucial, she added.

“We are having those items packaged up and delivered straight to their location. We want to make sure this is sustained even in the coming months, that we are still here and they are still being supported as things settle down and maybe get a little more edgy,” said Ms. Hughes.
Also, crucial for people at this time are items for babies, such as diapers and milk. In addition, senior citizens need adult pull-ups and wheelchairs.
Meanwhile, down the hill, about 15 minutes away, Josiah Bruny and an army of volunteers served the community at the Pasadena Church’s Eaton Fire Disaster Relief effort at 425 Sierra Madre Villa Ave. in Pasadena. Mr. Bruny is the founder of Music Changing Lives and has put the resources of his organization in service to the impacted community.
Now, along with five other groups, they are operating a triage system in Pasadena to assist fire victims, providing essential supplies and housing, he said.
His family has been in Altadena/Pasadena since the 70s. “Luckily, my aunt’s property was saved, but like most, I feel survivor’s guilt and I feel compassion for those that have lost everything,” said Mr. Bruny.

“And that’s why I’m standing strong with ’Dena and we’re here to build ’Dena, because we know what it feels like to lose and we’re here for our community,” he told The Final Call, referring to Pasadena.
Mr. Bruny emphasized the need for hygiene supplies, water and new items like underwear, socks and towels.
“There’s such a great need right now. Within our church alone, we have 18 families who’ve lost their homes in this Eaton Fire, including my 89-year-old mother,” stated Pastor Madelyn Manning, first lady of Pasadena Church. “Our hearts are just breaking,” she told The Final Call.
She and her husband, Pastor Kerwin Manning, are in a hotel, but as of Jan. 9, they were able to see their home was still standing, but haven’t been able to get back since then. They have been in Pasadena for 23 years.
“The Lord blessed us with this church and we know that we are called to open it and to be a blessing. Our motto is ‘Find a need and fill it. Find a hurt and heal it,’ and that’s why we’re here. And we’re going to be here after all of the NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and big places leave and go on to the next crisis, Pasadena Church will be here, serving our community with love,” said Pastor Madelyn Manning.
When they first moved to Pasadena they found a very tight-knit community of Black people that grew up there, she explained. “Everybody knew everyone; everywhere you’d go, you might find someone related to somebody else. … We just love that. We were welcomed in with open arms, from Ohio,” said Pastor Madelyn Manning.
Of different resources, people need water because of the city’s do not drink water notice issued on Jan. 13, and also housing, because hotel stays are unsustainable, she said.
People are also in Air BNB’s and with family. But they need help with claims paperwork, and FEMA, especially seniors who may not understand or be computer savvy, Pastor Madelyn Manning continued. “It’s a lot of need,” she concluded.
Cars and SUVs filled the rear lot of the church, as people of goodwill patiently waited their turn to drop off clothes, shoes, water, and other key essentials. In front, the parking lot and sometimes the street lined with vehicles of residents coming through for supplies. The well-organized system ensured they did not have to leave their cars, just pass by to get what was needed.

That is, unless they wanted to get out for the free food donated by Mercy Chefs, a Virginia-based faith-based non-profit disaster and humanitarian relief organization, or four food trucks on hand that day.
“It’s a blessing from Almighty God for Brother Josiah. Thank God for his leadership, because between him and Brother James and Brother William, I mean, boots on the ground! I’ve never seen somebody move so fast to set up something so organized, that it is absolutely helping the community,” said Student Min. Abdul Malik Sayyid Muhammad.
Members of the Nation of Islam and other organizations have joined with Mr. Bruny to serve Pasadena residents, he said. In his estimation, it could take between 3-5 years to really address and help the problems that they’ve seen. He’s been to at least 11 sites and said what he has witnessed in Pasadena is the most organized he’s seen.

“It’s an honor to work with Josiah and Music Changing Lives, with the Church of Scientology volunteer ministry and with our Regional Minister Abdul Malik Sayyid Muhammad in our collaboration to bring forth assistance to the fire victims,” said James Muhammad, a 1st lieutenant at Mosque No. 27, the Western Region Headquarters of the Nation of Islam.
“Our people have definitely been coming out and it’s a beautiful thing, everybody coming together to help those who are suffering in this hour. It’s been a real beautiful energy and movement,” added William Muhammad also of Mosque No. 27.