Harabedian Says Pickleball Tournament Raised Funds for Altadena Fire Recovery

Assemblymember John Harabedian’s office says his first district pickleball tournament raised money for Altadena’s long-term recovery from the Eaton Fire, with all proceeds intended for the Altadena Builds Back Foundation.

The tournament brought local communities together around a housing recovery effort still focused on residents who lost homes or were displaced after the 2025 fire. Harabedian’s office announced the fundraiser Monday, Oct. 19, but did not report the amount raised.

The office said local leaders, organizations and community members participated in the competition. La Cañada Flintridge Mayor Jeanne Kim Hobson and her team won the event’s first championship belt.

“Altadena still has a long road to recovery, and we can’t lose sight of the families who are still trying to rebuild their homes and their lives,” Harabedian said in a statement released by his office.

The beneficiary, Altadena Builds Back Foundation, operates as a supporting organization of the Pasadena Community Foundation. Its work centers on rebuilding residential Altadena, helping fire survivors remain in their community and protecting housing affordability for renters as well as homeowners.

That work includes a $4.55 million grant for San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity to rebuild 22 homes in West Altadena for lower-income, underinsured or uninsured residents. The foundation also committed $5.83 million toward a Beacon Housing project to restore 14 units of affordable rental housing.

In September, the foundation announced a separate $350,000 grant to Greenline Housing Foundation to help create affordable homes for first-time buyers on fire-affected lots in West Altadena. The money was intended to cover early project expenses, including design work and environmental cleanup.

“We want to make sure the people who have lived in Altadena for generations are able to stay,” foundation Executive Director Jennifer DeVoll said when announcing the Greenline grant.

The foundation says its grants go to nonprofit organizations rather than directly to individuals. Harabedian’s announcement did not identify any specific rebuilding project that would receive the tournament proceeds.

Harabedian, whose 41st Assembly District includes Altadena, said he hopes to make the tournament an annual event supporting local nonprofits. His office said teams could return next year to compete for the championship belt.