Saturday, November 22, 2025

Altadena Fire Survivors Lead Holiday Ornament Drive; Gamble House Bookstore Collecting Through Dec. 6

The Gamble House Bookstore is serving as a collection site for Ornaments for Altadena, a relief effort providing holiday decorations to survivors of the January 2025 Eaton Fire. The drive, organized by Altadena fire survivors Ana Medina-Whirledge and Emily Viglietta, is accepting ornaments, stars, menorahs and kinaras through Saturday, Dec. 6, according to the nonprofit.

Medina-Whirledge, who lost her home in the fire, and Viglietta, a fellow Eaton Fire survivor, launched the initiative in late September to help neighbors facing their first holiday season without cherished decorations.

“I’ve got texts from my friends saying all I feel when I think about the holidays this year is dread,” Viglietta told CBS News Los Angeles in October. Medina-Whirledge said the effort has already brought “joy and community” to survivors who had been dreading the season.

According to the Gamble House Bookstore, menorahs and ornaments bought specifically for donation to the program qualify for a 20 percent discount when the code “altadena” is used at checkout.

Organizers request that donated items be vintage, handcrafted or uniquely meaningful, accompanied by a short note explaining the story behind the ornament.

“Personal notes bring extra comfort and connection,” the program’s official website states.

Distribution events for fire survivors are scheduled Nov. 29–30 at Winter Bloom Altadena, 725 W. Altadena Drive. Survivors who experienced total loss of homes or holiday collections may register online for timed entry slots and must bring identification verifying their Altadena address, according to Winter Bloom event pages.

The Gamble House Bookstore will continue accepting donations until Dec. 6, although later donations may be accepted until Dec. 8 for a second distribution.