Friday, November 7, 2025

Rebuilding Hope in Altadena: After the Fire, a Family Nears Home Again

At left, the home under constrction on Sunday, November 2nd. At right, the Woods. [Photo courtesy of Judi Price and SGV Habitat]

Hundreds of volunteers and local groups rally to help the Wood family restore their lives and their house after losing everything in the Eaton fire—just in time for the holidays.

After three households in the Wood family lost everything to the Eaton fire, a corner lot in Altadena has become a heartbeat of hope—and, as the holidays approach, the promise of home has never felt closer. Since mid-October, hammers have echoed and sawdust has settled as over 460 San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity volunteers, donors, and community partners have poured into the neighborhood with one goal: bringing the Wood family—and Altadena—back from the ashes.?

“It’s powerful to see so many people come out to help rebuild what was lost,” said a member of the Wood family, reflecting on the outpouring of support that has galvanized their tight-knit community.

For more than 40 years, their roots ran deep in Altadena—until the fire changed everything in an instant. But now, each wood frame raised and every nail hammered carries with it a surge of optimism not just for the Woods, but for neighbors determined to restore their hometown.?

Since October 16, the nonprofit San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity has coordinated a massive volunteer effort. In just three weeks, scores of volunteers jumped in to erect walls and install exterior sheathing, ensuring steady progress as the foundation was poured and the first rafters climbed skyward.

“These volunteers played a huge role in driving hope and stability for families like the Woods,” reported the SGV Habitat team.?

The work has become a rallying point. Local organizations, churches, and even national companies have donned hard hats alongside students and neighbors, all drawn by the same conviction: that everyone deserves a place to call home and a community that cares.?

With the holidays approaching and the roof being decked this week, the sense of accomplishment is tangible—but so is the unfinished business of rebuilding lives. As SGV Habitat notes,

“Everyone has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors.” For Altadena, the Woods’ story is more than just construction; it is a testament to resilience, generosity, and the belief that rebuilding is a team effort.?