When wildfires destroyed parts of Los Angeles this week, real estate agent Jenna Cooper started asking friends for clothes and other items to help those in need. Her request spread quickly through a network of powerful women. Actors including Sharon Stone and Halle Berry responded, providing sweaters, shoes, dresses, handbags, belts, pajamas and more from their collections.
“I’m packing my entire wardrobe,” Berry wrote on Instagram. “If you live in the Southern California area, I urge you to do the same. It’s something we can do right now.”
Cooper, who also runs a home goods store called +COOP, freed up half the space to create a pop-up shopping experience for displaced people to pick up what they needed. Many Angelenos lost entire homes in the fire, which was still burning on Friday.
Stone spread information about the donation on social media, which helped attract publicity. She and her sister Kelly Stone contributed clothing, bedding and more, and Kelly volunteered to assist shoppers.
“When they come into the store the first thing they want is a hug,” Kelly Stone said. Then she asked the shoppers, “Show me your pictures, how do you dress?” So she could direct them to wear sweaters or trench coats that reflect their style.
At the store Friday, a therapy dog named Jackie Robinson greeted people at the door. Inside, they saw racks of dresses and coats, stacks of denim, shelves of shoes and baskets of handbags.
Offers ranged from packages of fresh underwear from Target to new or gently used Zara dresses and some Gucci and Ferragamo shoes.
Cooper said he received donations and voluntary support from Los Angeles power players, including actors, executives, lawyers, restaurant owners and mothers. His network of real estate agents in New York was sending gift cards, he said.
A Hollywood stylist brought two large bags of items from her wardrobe and was assigned to help organize the store for buyers over the weekend.
Lisa Serra, who has worked for celebrities including the Kardashians and Lenny Kravitz, said, “I know people who have lost everything, and even people I don’t know, I’m devastated. Am.” “I’ve decided to bring whatever I can.”
Ellen Bennett was picking out items for her 72-year-old mother, who lost her home in the Eaton fire on the east side of Los Angeles. Bennett said he chose “the basics,” including socks, sweaters, pants, a jacket and a pair of running shoes.
“She left her house with her dog and a bag and just a few things. She thought she would come back,” Bennett said of her mother, “It’s so special and beautiful that in this time of tragedy, people step forward.” Growing and helping each other.”
Store owner Cooper said he helped a man find a pair of sneakers so he could run on the beach, something he had not done since the fire. He said he was overwhelmed by the response to his idea to help.
“It’s a city of love and everyone wants to support each other,” Cooper said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
