You Can Help Replace Gifts for Seniors Destroyed in Downtown Fire

Mayor Eric Garcetti’s wife started an effort today to replace 2,000 gift bags intended for low-income seniors that were destroyed by Monday’s big fire downtown.

The gifts, to be distributed this week, were damaged by radiant heat from the inferno at the under-construction DaVinci apartments. At least 160 plate glass windows on one city-owned office tower were damaged or destroyed by heat so intense aluminum street signs along the Harbor (110) Freeway melted.

The gifts were collected as part of the Department of Aging’s Project CARE and donated by city employees and others.

Garcetti’s wife, Amy Elaine Wakeland, is asking the public to donate gifts by Dec. 16 to replace those destroyed. A website has been set up: http://mayorsfundla.org/donate .

“These holiday gift bags are intended to show our appreciation for those whose hard work laid the foundation for the Los Angeles we enjoy today,” Wakeland said.

“These aren’t luxuries -- these are everyday items that can make a world of difference to a senior in need,” she said. “I urge all Angelenos to join the mayor and me in making a contribution to this effort to spread some holiday cheer to our neighbors.”

• City News Service
• Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons