How vegan burgers, haircuts, and skateboards helped young men recover from the L.A. fires

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Standing in a line that wound down an East Hollywood residential street, Vincent Bugarin had a lot on his mind.

When the Eaton Fire devastated Altadena, his family lost everything. In addition to a pickup truck, bicycles, and sports shirts his father had left him after he died in 2022, the fire destroyed their house.

“A lot of people tell me it is simply material stuff,” said 19-year-old Bugarin, who is currently residing in Glendale with relatives. However, he stated that “it is your heart.” “It is difficult to absorb.”

But Wednesday was a different story. At Altadena Teen Boys Fire Recovery, a six-day fundraising event that served as a way station for boys and their families affected by the Eaton Fire in central Los Angeles, Bugarin was among about 200 attendees that day.

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After going through the lobby’s red velvet drapes, he entered and joined other young guys and their families as they strolled past stacks of donated sunglasses, hoodies, and shoes—many of which were still in their shrink wrap. Along the bar were full-size face wash, shampoo, and shave products.

Large TVs broadcast football games outside, while tables were laden with toys, board games, comic books, and brand-new basketballs and footballs. A station where volunteers set up personalized skateboards given by the streetwear company Golf Wang was the focal point for many shoppers.

One of the organizers was 18-year-old Pasadena City College student Immanuel Shorter. He collaborated with others to start a boys’ version while helping out at a girls’ contribution drive.

Many of Shorter’s Altadena friends, including Bugarin, whom he knew from John Muir High School, were not as fortunate, even though his home was still standing. He stated that in addition to helping them replace misplaced belongings, he wished to provide them with an opportunity to come together and unwind following the fires.

As he floated around snapping pictures, Shorter remarked, “It is been incredibly hard to just have a typical conversation with folks.” “You do not want to be treated like a lost dog all the time; you are still human and want to be treated as such.”

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The drive was held at Chain House, an event venue attached to a hip-concept restaurant that frequently gets filled up and frequently draws influencers and celebrities. Families who could prove they lived or attended school in Altadena or Pasadena with a driver’s license or a school ID were the only ones allowed in for over a week.

Bugarin returned on Wednesday for a haircut after initially visiting on Saturday for supplies. Upon its conclusion, he rose from his director’s chair and gazed at it in the mirror. He dapped Shorter and thanked the barber who buzzed down the sides and back.

His 15-year-old cousin, meanwhile, was waiting to meet Travis Barker, the drummer and record producer for Blink-182.

Barker had stopped over to speak with Grayson Roberts, a blind 10-year-old child from Altadena who lost his Legos, instruments, and Braille books when his home burned down. Barker gave Grayson a drum pad and showed him how to twirl drumsticks.

Gavin, his older brother, received styling advice from the barber who cut his hair in the meantime.

“It is quite cool to have another boy to talk to,” 16-year-old Gavin said. It is fun. You get to express how you feel, you know. Having the appropriate people in your life to help you stay steady is good.

The historic flames destroyed entire towns in Los Angeles County, forcing thousands of families to seek temporary refuge with few or no possessions.

The Eaton Fire devastated Altadena, a middle-class hamlet in the northeastern foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, destroying over 9,400 buildings and burning over 14,000 acres. It has a comparatively low poverty rate and is renowned for its diversity.

Despite the Eaton Fire being mostly contained, many Altadena homeowners whose homes were spared damage are still unable to return because of evacuation orders. Additionally, when additional fires broke out this week, authorities are recommending that people in the Los Angeles area wear face masks because of the toxins in the air from the fires.

Following the devastation, charitable organizations, businesses, and community organizers launched dozens of donation drives throughout Los Angeles.

The concept of a drive just for boys appealed to Shorter because he was concerned that many would otherwise be reluctant to get necessities, giving their mother or younger siblings’ supplies priority.

“For males my age, you want to be strong for your family when something like this happens,” Shorter remarked.

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New companies volunteered every day. On the final day, the local plant-based fast food company Monty’s Good Burger parked a food truck outside. Levi’s sold jackets with personalized chain embroidery. As customers left, volunteers gave them cases of canned cold-brew coffee.

On Wednesday afternoon, during the last hour of shopping, 40-year-old Grant Babbitt watched through sunglasses as the woman who had assembled their skateboards gave his 11-year-old oldest son, Avary, an impromptu skating lesson. He expressed his wish that his son would remember this moment more than the fear of the evacuation two weeks prior and the uncertainties surrounding their next destination.

“The father aspect of it all has been incredibly challenging,” Babbitt remarked. Since it is my responsibility to keep everyone safe and to provide for them, I feel as though I did so by getting us out of there. The next phase of what we do now presents a significant difficulty. It is a very difficult place to be, and I have encountered it with many other fathers.

According to Bugarin, his own father’s memories inspire him to continue being strong for his mother and sister.

“What keeps me going is thinking about my dad,” he remarked. “I am aware that he would not want me to give up.”

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