Restoring Hope in LA: Supporting Families Affected by the Palisades Wildfires
When disaster strikes, it leaves more than just visible damage—it disrupts lives, creates uncertainty, and forces families to rebuild from the ground up.
After the Palisades wildfires devastated parts of Los Angeles, families found themselves facing obstacles that went far beyond the immediate destruction. In the aftermath, even basic needs like a pair of shoes became a serious struggle for many.
To bring much-needed relief and restore hope, Samaritan’s Feet partnered with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to distribute over 1,000 pairs of shoes to families in need. These distributions held on March 22 and March 29, supported 300 families, offering not only footwear but a tangible reminder that they are seen and supported by their community.
Beyond providing shoes to those affected, LAUSD also gathered local organizations to offer school supplies, clothing, and optometry screenings to families. Western University’s podiatry students were on site as well to make sure that each recipient’s feet were properly examined before receiving their new shoes.
“There’s a natural relationship between shoes and feet,” shared a third-year podiatry student. “It just makes sense that we would take care of people’s feet before putting on their shoes.”
Gary Hall, a former Olympic swimmer, played a key role in turning this event into a reality. His support and relationship with Samaritan’s Feet was integral in helping move the initiative from concept to action. “It just makes sense to have foot care and shoe care walk hand in hand,” he said.
Each act of kindness, each hour volunteered, reinforced the gratitude she felt for her own life and the opportunity to pour that gratitude into others. Service was no longer just something she did; it was a part of who she was becoming.
The need in Los Angeles continues to be immense, and the wildfires only magnified the struggles many families already face. Nancy Ceballos from LAUSD emphasized the importance of these distributions:
“Finding shoes is really hard to come by cheaply in the quantities that Samaritan’s Feet can provide. Partnering has helped us serve more people, faster.”
For families affected by the wildfires, this event was more than just a distribution; it was an opportunity to move forward with hope through the continued support of their community.
