LJCDS Mobilizes to Support Wildfire Victims and First Responders
A series of destructive wildfires erupted in Los Angeles on January 7, 2025, leaving devastation in their wake. As firefighters battled to contain the fast-moving flames, which consumed homes, businesses, schools, and forests, the La Jolla Country Day School community focused on helping first responders and those affected by the disaster.
The Service Learning department quickly connected with schools and nonprofits to assess their needs. Once the call for help went out, the LJCDS community responded with an outpouring of generosity. Multiple batches of essential supplies were delivered, including:
- Towels, blankets, and socks
- Toys and diapers
- Non-perishable food and electrolyte powders
- Gift cards to provide additional relief
Beyond the donation drive, faculty and staff assembled 150 care packages for first responders, filled with essentials like:
- Gatorade and bottled water
- Protein bars, beef jerky, and dried fruit
- Body and face wipes, chapstick, and eye drops
Parents also collected suitcases and duffle bags, while students took the initiative to develop their own ideas for support. Below are some of their contributions.
Upper School
The Community Service Board hosted a bake sale to raise funds for wildfire relief. Parents from the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools generously donated baked goods to support their efforts.
Middle School
Students wrote heartfelt letters of support and encouragement to families who had been evacuated or lost their homes. A seventh-grade teacher who previously worked at a high school in Los Angeles where over 100 families were displaced coordinated with the school's dean to ensure the letters reached those in need.
Lower School
Led by the third-grade Kindness Crew, students in Grades 1–4 created hundreds of handmade cards to send love and encouragement to families affected by the wildfires and to express gratitude to first responders.
Kindergarten
Our youngest students also made a difference! Kindergarteners organized a drive to collect stuffed animals, diapers, and wipes to provide comfort and care to families in need.
LJCDS was recognized in the media.
- ABC 10 News focused on the Kindness Crew’s initiative to set up card-making stations for all Grade 1–4 students to make cards for the first responders and families. Head of School Jeff Terwin, Ph.D., and two third graders, Lily Fatongia ’34 and Eli Gomez-Bossu ’34, were interviewed.
- Fox 5 News featured two Kindness Crew members, Benedict Peveich ’34 and Arabella Adler ’34, plus Samantha Rianhard ’28 and Director of Wellness Michelle Hirschy.
