Church and Community Groups to Host Eaton Fire Recovery Events

New Revelation Baptist Church and community organizations will host a day of recovery events on Saturday, March 8 to support residents impacted by the devastating Eaton Fire. The events include a gas giveaway, a resource festival, and a free comedy show, aimed at providing both practical assistance and emotional relief to a community still rebuilding after the January disaster.

The initiative will come two months after the devastating Eaton Fire.

The day will begin with a gas giveaway from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at Mobil Gas Station on Woodbury Road in Altadena, where the first 150 vehicles will receive $50 worth of free gas.

Following the gas giveaway, a “Festival of Fun & Resources” will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at New Revelation Baptist Church in Pasadena. The festival will feature car and laptop giveaways, a game truck, free food, and additional resources for fire-affected residents.

The day will conclude with a free comedy show from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the same church location, featuring comedian J-RED and special guests, providing some much-needed levity for a community dealing with significant loss.

These events are part of a broader community response to the fire which has launched a range of actions.

Local organizations have been instrumental in the recovery effort. The Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena opened its Slavik Clubhouse to distribute free essential items and began collecting monetary donations and gift cards for affected families. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has also accepted donations to support fire victims.

The City of Pasadena and the Black History Planning Committee transformed the annual Black History Festival, scheduled for February 15, 2025, from its traditional parade format into a community support event at Robinson Park, combining cultural celebration with essential services for those affected.

The Pasadena Community Foundation has raised over $15 million for its Eaton Fire Relief and Recovery Fund as of February 14, distributing nearly $1 million to organizations providing direct assistance and mental health support to affected residents.

The Los Angeles County Assessor’s office has made available the Property Tax Installment Deferral Application and the Application for Reassessment Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity to assist affected property owners.

For those needing additional financial assistance, the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs has launched the LA County Household Relief Grant program, which will distribute $32.2 million to fire survivors. Eligible households can receive up to $18,000, with applications open until March 12. Additionally, the Department of Economic Opportunity is offering complementary fire relief funds for small businesses, nonprofits, and workers affected by the disaster.

The Small Business Administration has established a March 10, 2025 deadline for small business owners, renters, and homeowners to apply for disaster assistance.

SoCalGas representatives have worked to inspect and restore customer service, setting up a community information booth at Pasadena City College’s Community Education Center.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun Phase 2 cleanup operations, completing debris removal from its first Eaton Fire-destroyed Altadena residential property on February 22, 2025. The Corps aims to complete cleanup of all affected properties by January 8, 2026, following strict environmental and safety protocols.

Local officials are also working on streamlining the rebuilding process, allowing property owners to rebuild up to 10% larger while qualifying for expedited “like-for-like” permits.

Pasadena Unified School District has launched a community outreach initiative providing comprehensive mental health support to help students process and recover from the impacts of the fire. The initiative combines social-emotional learning with crisis management activities and mental health services, offering free support to students and their families regardless of insurance status. Local therapy centers are also providing group therapy support for families affected by the Eaton Fire, with specialized programs for both children and adults.