When disaster strikes, true character is revealed. This was evident in the case of Jose Velazquez, a local Altadena business owner who, despite losing everything in the L.A fire, refused to let despair take hold.
Instead, he helped his fellow Altadeneans—neighbors who also lost their homes and were suddenly displaced with nowhere to turn during the L.A. fire.
The devastation was staggering. Homes that stood for generations, passed down from parents to children, were reduced to ashes in mere minutes. Operation Blessing Chief Operating Officer Drew Friedrich witnessed the destruction firsthand.
“I’m standing here in the remains of a home that was burned in Altadena, California. It’s my first time here on the ground, and it’s really hard to even explain what this looks like. All around and all down this block, homes where families had built their legacies are now gone.”
L.A. Fire
Jose recalled the terrifying moment the fire overtook his neighborhood.
“Light was coming out already, and then it turned black in a matter of seconds. The wind started pushing south. And you just see a huge cloud of black smoke coming your way, with embers flying toward you.” It was a scene straight out of a nightmare—decades of hard work, wiped away in an instant.
Amid the ashes, hope emerged. Even as Jose grappled with the loss of his own livelihood during the L.A. fire, he knew others were suffering just as much, if not more.
“It’s a really hard thing knowing that all your neighbors and customers—everything they’ve built—their whole life got flipped upside down. We really tried our best to save our neighbor’s house, but they’re gone.”
Despite this heartbreak, Jose took action. He and his family set up a community pantry, providing basic relief items to those in need. Initially, it was meant to be a weekend effort—a small way to give back to the people who once supported his business.
But as the need grew, so did his commitment.
“We actually saw somebody else hosting a donation drive from their front yard and figured we could do the same. Especially because we already knew most of the community before the fires. It was supposed to be just a Saturday and Sunday thing, but it grew out of our control. Now, it’s an everyday thing.”
“They Came at a Time When We Needed Them Most”
Jose’s pantry became a lifeline, but resources began to dwindle. Donations slowed, and supplies ran low. Just as desperation loomed, Operation Blessing arrived.
“Operation Blessing stopped by, and I met a gentleman who drove by and asked if we needed food. At that moment, we were desperately in need—because all we had left was green beans,” Jose shared.
Within days, Operation Blessing delivered 20 to 40 boxes of essential supplies. It was a “God-sent” moment for the struggling community. “It was a blessing, honestly—hence the name, Operation Blessing. They came at a time when we needed them most.”
Now, more than a month and a half after the L.A fire, many have moved on, and donations have significantly decreased. Yet, Operation Blessing continues to stand with the community.
According to Jose, they are one of the few NGOs still providing steady support. From emergency medical kits to water, hygiene, and cleaning supplies, Operation Blessing remains a pillar of hope for those struggling to rebuild their lives.
Drew Friedrich expressed his deep admiration for Jose and the strength of the Altadena community.
“You look around and see all this ash, all this destruction, and there can be a sense of hopelessness. But then you meet people like Jose—people who, even in the face of their own loss, are giving everything they have left to help their neighbors. That’s why Operation Blessing is still here. We are standing with these heroes, locking arms with them to ensure they can continue making a difference.”
Helping People
For Jose, the mission is personal, “I just felt like the community fed us for a couple of years. They were very supportive when we had our business, and I felt like it was the right thing to do. My dad instilled this in me from a young age—you help people when you have the chance.”
As time passes, the danger is not just the physical aftermath of the fire, but the risk of being forgotten. These communities still need support, and heroes like Jose cannot do it alone.
Thanks to Operation Blessing and to faithful donors like you, who refuse to turn your backs, the people of Altadena are finding their way forward.
Hope is not lost. Through the efforts of everyday heroes and unwavering support from you in partnership with Operation Blessing, the communities who have been displaced by the L.A fire will rise again.
READ ALSO: Operation Blessing Helps L.A. Fires Survivor Rise from the Ashes
