Mountain View News Saturday, December 20, 2025 


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges

[Nyerges is an educator and author. His many books can be seen at 
www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com.] 

PROFILES OF THE FIRE: 
IN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING.....BACK 

Allison Moore was born and raised in Pasadena, had graduated from college, and 
was living in her Pasadena home. Then came January 7, with the high winds, and 
an out-of-control fire that burned for hours. 
The Eaton Fire began a short few blocks from her home, on the east side of Altadena, devastating 
the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, with the high winds funneling the fires down-canyon. The 
winds drove the inferno into the foothills, burning the hillsides and homes, and rapidly spreading 
to the west, leaving a wrath of destruction in its path. The unusual winds lasted a good 12 hours, 
and died down on the morning of the 8th. When it was over, around 9000 homes, businesses, and 
structures were destroyed, and 25 people died. 

Allison lost her father’s home -- childhood 
home -while her mother's home 
sustained some wind damage. Experiencing 
the devastating loss all around 
her, Allison Moore sprang into action!
Within days of the fire, she and her 
friends set up a community give-away 
right on her home’s front lawn, even 
though there was no power in the 
neighborhood. While there was still 
the smell of smoke in the air, she and 
her associates set up tables and gave 
away water, diapers, clothes, and more 
to whoever needed it. Their efforts 
were promoted from word of mouth, 
and social media. 
To continue the work, she and 3 other 
black women co-founded the Altadena 

Allison Moore getting ready to assist others

Recovery Team, and she became the 
Chief Impact Officer. 

The other leaders are Samantha James, Makai Ward, and Savannah Bradley. Samantha James lost 
her family’s horse stables, and Makai Ward's home is one of two still standing on her street. As CIO 
of the Altadena Recovery Team (ART), Allison designs and evaluates their programs to measure 
and strengthen the impact and effectiveness of their wildfire recovery and resilience efforts. She 
also surveys residents, provides one-on-one service, and makes recommendations to ensure that 
their work remains community-informed and focused on results. 

And donations poured in from all across L.A. county -- even statewide. “There was overwhelming 
support by community members both near and far that allowed us to continue serving our community, 
and be a reliable source for our neighbors during a time where so much was uncertain 
for so many” says Moore. Also, Changeist --the nonprofit Allison worked for which focused on 
youth development --helped them get off the ground initially with resources, finances, and legal 
assistance.

 
Being able to give back 
to the community that 
made me during such 
unprecedented times 
just seemed like the 
instinctual thing to do. 
It was very challenging 
to host the give-awaydrives at my house, 
working with onlydaylight since we still 
had no power! But I’d 
do it all again if I had 
to. There’s no better 
feeling than being able 
to give back to the city 
that made me and instilled 
in me the very 
communal mindset 
that it took to keep going 
after such a loss, 
and also get ART off 
the ground,” explains

The ART team of Savannah Bradley, Makai Ward, Samantha James, and Al-

Moore.

lison Moore. 

To increase the visibility 
of their efforts, ART also set up shop on Woodbury Road at the Eagles Hall and gave out supplies 
to community members in need of basic supplies. They also worked with the fire victims to 
see that they found the help they needed. 
According to Moore, “we are currently tenants at the Eaton Fire Collaborative with a permanent 
office space, continuing our drives and community care, at 540 W. Woodbury Road, where we set 
up the second Saturday of each month.”

 ART also hosts community wellness events, such as yoga led by Makai Ward, their wellness officer 
who is a certified yoga instructor. “We plan to create a scholarship event for impacted students, as 
well as partnering with other organizations to best meet the needs of our community. We also do 
environmental advocacy work that is mainly spear-headed by one of our cofounders Savannah 
and one of our volunteers Deshawn , to help ensure that the rebuilding process is environmentally 
sustainable and takes preventative measures for future natural disasters,” says Moore.

 “ART is ever evolving, and committed to the long term recovery efforts of the city,” Moore explains. 
Editor's Note: This holiday season, consider providing donation support to this worthy organization 
in the spirit of giving. Their website is https://altadenart.org 

ABOUT ALLISON MOORE 

Moore has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology from San Diego 
State University. She has built a career centered on service, empowerment, and community-driven 
change. She plans to continue her academic journey at Pepperdine University, pursuing her Masters 
in legal studies as well as a Masters in dispute resolution starting in January. She hopes that 
this will allow her to support her community more effectively.

 She helped to develop the Black Pre-Law Society on SDSU’s campus where she served as the public 
relations chair helping to expand the horizons for aspiring Black law students. 

Through ART, she works closely with local organizations, businesses, and volunteers to provide 
the free resources that residents need to rebuild their lives. Her leadership focuses on disaster preparedness, 
recovery, and long-term community resilience. 

Beyond her work with ART, Allison has extensive experience in customer service, clerical support, 
and youth empowerment. As a Youth Empowerment Fellow with Changeist, an AmeriCorps 
program, she helped design and facilitated educational programs for over 100 students. Her ability 
to organize, advocate, and connect people has led to tangible results, including helping secure a 
$450,000 grant to enhance Changeist’s programming. 

Allison believes in the power of grassroots movements to drive lasting change. Whether through 
disaster recovery efforts, youth mentorship, or community organizing, she remains dedicated to 
creating a more connected, resilient, and just society 


Meet “PRINCESS” 

Last week 
you met 
Munchy, 
the cuddle 
bug of the 
3 sisters 
who were 
rescued at 
just 3 days 

old during a storm, and hand-raised 

with love. 

This week, meet PRINCESS, a female 

blue tabby. The name says it all. Prin


cess does everything with charm and 
confidence. 
She’s adventurous, curious, and the natural leader of her 
little trio. 


If you want a kitten who's brave, bright, and endlesslydelightful, Princess is your girl. She has a loyal sidekick, 
whom you will meet next week, but you can see them all 
at https://www.lifelineforpets.org/kates-kittens.html or use 
the qr code. We'd love to get them homes for the holidays 
and furever! Apply now! 

Pet of the Week 

Meet Logan, a 3-year-old black Husky atPasadena Humane who is a friendly, affectionateguy that loves people and happily leans in forpets, belly rubs, and even gives gentle kisses tosay hello. Logan loves to play with squeaky toys,
knows how to “sit,” and has wonderful manners 
when out and about. After a good, fast-pacedwalk, Logan settles nicely and is eager to please,
offering a sweet paw for attention and soakingup love from visitors of all ages.

 Logan would shine brightest as the only dogin the home, and he’d do best with adults or 
teens who can match his energy and help himfeel secure. Like many huskies, he can be vocal 
and a little squirmy at times, but a little patience(and maybe some cheese!) goes a long way withthis good boy. With the holidays here, Logan is ready to be your new walking buddy,
cuddle companion, and loyal sidekick. 


Best of all, now through 12/31, Pasadena Humane is waiving adoption fees for largedogs over 40 lbs, like Logan, making this the perfect time to adopt. Come meet Loganand give him the home he’s been wishing for this season!

 The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip,
and age-appropriate vaccines.

 Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 10:00 – 5:00. View photos of adoptablepets at pasadenahumane.org.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCAAnimal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to carefor your pet.

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters byphone calls or email. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com