The Power of Action & Community
USHS Adult Center, Pasadena, CA. Volunteers transport bottled water to impacted Altadena residents.
When the Eaton Fire devastated Altadena and Pasadena, Leslie, Shari, and Mindy knew they couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Seeing families lose everything—homes, belongings, and stability—ignited a deep sense of urgency in them.
“Union Station has been an important part of our lives for many years now,” says Leslie. “This crisis served to reignite my passion for serving our community and helping the most vulnerable in this critical time of need.”
The three USHS supporters got to work, calling every major retailer in the area and demanding donations of essential supplies. Their persistence paid off—pallets of storage bins, pillows, towels, toilet paper, paper towels, bedsheets, and cases of water soon arrived at Union Station’s distribution center.
USHS Adult Center, Pasadena, CA. Volunteers organize donations.
Stores like Costco and Home Depot were extremely generous, responding immediately to Leslie and Shari’s requests.
Meanwhile, Mindy took it a step further, leveraging her professional connections to secure truckloads of essential items from Indiana, which she stored at her company’s warehouse until USHS could pick them up. At the Adult Center, volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure families had what they needed. It was a well-coordinated effort, but it was also heartbreaking to see how severely some families were impacted.
For Mindy, the hardest part was keeping her emotions in check. “It was heartbreaking, but I focused on being present, listening, and making sure each person felt seen and cared for.”
All three women were deeply moved by the resilience they witnessed. “Resilience isn’t just about individuals overcoming hardship—it’s about communities lifting each other up,” Mindy shares. Leslie adds, “The sense of community and the strength of those most impacted has been an inspiration.”
Their message to others? “If you’re thinking about volunteering or donating and haven't taken action yet—do it!”
