The Eaton and Palisades fires were still burning when the North American bank BMO pledged $3 million to the LA Wildfire Recovery Fund. On Tuesday, after months spent meeting with nonprofits working from each burn area, the bank announced the 32 recipients of that $3 million.
They were chosen for their focus on small businesses and homeowners, as well as their work restoring and rebuilding community spaces and infrastructure, said Halé Behzadi, vice chair of BMO California.
Behzadi led a group of 20 employees from BMO branches and offices in Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and downtown Los Angeles in visiting the Altadena Community Garden on Tuesday.
The garden, and the nonprofit that runs it, is getting a $25,000 boost in its efforts to rebuild the community space after the Eaton fire.
A cornerstone of the Altadena community, the garden has become a symbol of rebuilding with hope, Behzadi said.
Joe Nagy of La Crescenta thanked the banking crew on behalf of the garden’s 120 members, about half of whom lost their homes in the Eaton fire. Nagy is the garden’s president.
“Some of our members have been here since the garden began 52 years ago,” he said. “It’s part of who we are. We miss this place a lot. The road to recovery is and will still be difficult, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are part of our shared legacy now.”
The grant will go toward garden restoration, including continuing soil remediation, replacing tools and planning for community events and educational programs, according to vice president Mary McGilvray of Pasadena,
Garden plans also include expanding the space adjacent to Loma Alta Park with a public orchard, a greenhouse and a demonstration kitchen.
The BMO group later helped plant trees in the orchard space.
“The way that organizations and individuals across Southern California have continued to rally together in recovery efforts is a true testament to the resilience of our community,” Nagy said.
The wildfire recovery aid is part of BMO’s $8 million commitment to nonprofits across the state that was announced Tuesday. It includes a $5 million multi-year grant to Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, GRID Alternatives in Oakland and the Glide Foundation in San Francisco.
Homeboy Industries co-CEOs Shirley Torres and Steve Delgado said the grant shows BMO’s belief in the Homeboy mission of helping former gang members and formerly incarcerated build new lives.
“Their generosity helps sustain our daily work of hope, healing, and transformation – and propels us forward as we build Hope Village, a place where individuals and families can continue to find belonging and possibility.” Torres and Delgado said in a statement.
Bank employee Barbara Wright of Pasadena grew up on Crosby Street in Altadena and said if she didn’t see the street sign for Lincoln Avenue, she would not have recognized her old neighborhood.
“This is the first time I’ve come back since the fire,” Wright said. “It’s a lot. It’s hard to recognize now. I’ve been helping my church and relatives after the fire, and when I heard about this, I said, ‘I’m in.’ This is my town.”
Stephanie Lozano of Culver City said she was happy to volunteer.
“It’s a good opportunity to get out and see the area and do what we can,” Lozano said.
Garden board member Yvonne Scaggs, 76, who lost her home of 38 years in the Eaton fire, wanted to thank Team BMO. In happier days, her garden plot flourished with collard greens, kale, swiss chard, some fennel and beets.
While working on rebuilding her home, Scaggs is living in Arcadia and missing her garden.
“Gardening calmed my spirit,” Scaggs said, “I am coping by the grace of God.”
Eaton fire-related nonprofits getting a boost from the bank include Foothill Unity Center; Boys and Girls Club of America; Five Acres, The Boys and Girls Aid Society of Los Angeles; and YMCA of San Gabriel Valley.
Nonprofits receiving grants that work in the Palisades area include Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles; LISC-LA; AltaMed Health Services Corporation; TreePeople; Better Angels United Inc.; Parks California; and Los Angeles Urban League.