By Ruth SOWBY  

On Sunday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. sharp, volunteers, food vendors and staff of the YMCA of the Foothills worked hard giving out free new clothing, shoes and toys, accompanied by free ice cream, pizza and protein drinks, to hundreds of Eaton Fire-affected people from Pasadena and Altadena. They lined up patiently in a winding line that extended from the parking lot to the Y’s entrance overlooking Foothill Boulevard in La Cañada Flintridge.    

Six hundred fifty families had registered in advance for their share of the goodies. One hundred volunteers were on hand to accommodate them. Another 1,000 families of the fire-affected missed the signup deadline prompting YMCA CEO Vince Iuculano to announce, “We will have a second event.”  

“There were a lot of good people doing good things for a lot of good people today,” he said. 

YMCA board member and fire relief volunteer Patrick Mulcahy extolled the Y’s outreach for help from organizations including California Strong and the Southeast Ventura County YMCA.    

Once at the front of the line, each family had to check in with volunteers who made sure those seeking help had signed up beforehand. They were admitted to the Y’s multi-purpose room, which was lined with tables overflowing with clothes and shoes. Also on YMCA grounds were food trucks full of favorites – mostly pizza, coffee and ice cream cones. Set up in front of the Y’s entrance were tables and chairs available to volunteers working long hours to set up and man their various stations. Also present were first responders, mostly firefighters, who had their pick of the freebies as well.  

Edwin Garcia, now living with his family in a temporary South Pasadena apartment, had his Altadena home go up in flames as did his sister’s home. Getting the word late to evacuate, Edwin, his mother, fiancée, and brother escaped the Garcia home with nothing but their lives. Edwin was able to grab his dog at the last second. Drex, a 3-year-old, male shepherd, accompanied the Garcia family to the YMCA.  

“We couldn’t save anything else,” said Edwin.  

Why bring the dog to the YMCA?  

“He was too big to be left alone.”  

In total over 1,200 people were served at the event, including 250 who received a check for up to $1,000 to help with fire-related expenses.