When we think of home, it's more than just walls and a roof – it's where our most precious memories live, where we find refuge from life's storms, where we feel most ourselves. Few of us pause to imagine what it would mean to lose not just the physical structure but the treasured photo albums, the marks on the wall tracking our children's growth and the familiar comfort of our own bed.
But when disaster strikes nearby, as it did with the LA wildfires, that unthinkable scenario becomes all too real. Watching our neighbors face such devastating losses stirred something deep within many Long Beachers – a profound empathy born from the terrifying realization that it could have been any of us, and an urgent need to reach out and help however we can.
For Michelle Qazi, her immediate reaction was to spring into action.
Qazi, owner of vintage and home decor shop 6th and Detroit, began accepting donations at her small business. The community’s response was immediate and profound, so much so that within 24 hours she had to stop accepting donations. It was at that point she realized she had a unique opportunity, but not enough space to execute her idea.
That’s when she called on her friend Scott McCrorie, who donated his studio space so that she could create a free pop-up boutique for victims. Along with 26 volunteers, Qazi worked to filter out overworn, stained items so she could distribute items that were of higher quality. Through her efforts, over 70 families have been provided with clothing and other essential items.
“It’s hard to put into words the feelings I had when I heard what happened,” Qazi said. “I just had to help. I had to do something right away.”
While wildfires raged out of control across Los Angeles, neighboring Long Beach mobilized to aid thousands of Angelenos forced to flee wind-driven flames that consumed homes, cherished establishments and Hollywood landmarks.
From Ambitious Ales to the Queen Mary, countless community figures and recognizable institutions across the city pitched in with everything from discounted hotel rooms to donation drives to help evacuees and those who lost their homes.
Blair Cohn, executive director of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, says his community stepped up in more ways than one to help. Just two days after the fires broke out, he says Cynthia Lopez, owner of Long Beach Clothing Co., and her husband Shawn began collecting donations to help feed firefighters battling the two deadly blazes just two days after the fires began.
“Her husband, Shawn, had gone into the fire zone to deliver food on his own the previous day and came back affected by what he saw,” Cohn said.
By the first night of the drive, the husband and wife team had gathered 500 meals to take to the Pacific Palisades, Cohn said.
“Of course, we wanted to rally and answer the call to help,” Cohn said.
Cohn said the business association joined the cause and began collecting donations.
“The response was overwhelming, and we ended up sending over 20 trucks to LA, Pasadena, Altadena to get necessities to families in need. And we have also had restaurants step up each day to donate a minimum of 100 meals each day to deliver to the Palisades, getting meals to police, fire, and national guard. The community has been very generous.”
The outpouring of support from Long Beach's business community in response to the LA wildfires went far beyond what could be captured in a simple list of names and donations. While many establishments provided essential needs like food, shelter, and clothing, others found uniquely thoughtful ways to help those affected by the disaster.
The Fairmont Breakers Hotel & Spa offered evacuees a 40% discount on spa services, providing a moment of peace during chaos, while Atlantic Studio 425's Michelle Salemi opened her doors to displaced stylists who had lost their work spaces. Even Purrfect Pet Parlor stepped up, offering free baths for pets – a touching reminder that care extends to all family members, including four-legged ones.
These gestures, both large and small, from businesses and organizations across every sector of the city, exemplified the deep sense of community that defines our city.
“This is a time for unity,” Mayor Rex Richardson said at his 2025 State of the City address. “It’s a time for collective action and I’m proud of the role that Long Beach is playing in this critical situation.”
“I just had to help. I had to do something right away” - Michelle Qazi