Stories From Beyond
In the hopes of extending our hands and reaching out to those affected by the most recent natural disasters, we want to shed light on their personal stories and provide a direct link to their mutual aid funds.
Thomas Leonard
Lahaina, Maui Fire
August 12, 2023
"This is Thomas Leonard, a retired veteran of the Vietnam war and a mailman whose apartment burned down with his Jeep, forcing him to spend four days behind a seawall amid the flames. The fire that tore across the coastal Maui town and caught many by surprise has already claimed dozens of lives — a toll expected to climb — and burned more than 1,000 buildings. The creator of the GoFundMe is organizing the fundraiser on behalf of Leonard’s sister, who will transfer the funds to Thomas in Hawaii due to his bank burning down as well"
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- Cousin CJ Johnson
Joey and Juvy Macadangdang
Lahaina, Maui Fire
August, 2023
"My name is Cherry Respicio Urias, the Controller and sometimes Personal Assistant to Chef Joey Macadangdang and his Family.Funds from this GoFundMe campaign will go directly to our Joey's Kitchen Whalers, Joey's Kitchen Napili, and Macadangdang staff and their families - who have been impacted by the wildfires Lahaina, Maui. Like many Lahaina residents, many of our team members have lost absolutely everything. Leaving behind the comforts of their homes, filled with memories, and years of life - making it out with only the clothes on their backs. Chef Joey and his family will be opening up their homes to provide temporary housing to our team, while they begin to access and rebuild"
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-Cherry Respicio Urias
Hugo Garza
Hurricane Otis
October 2023
" Hi my name is Hugo Garza and my family and I were lucky to escape Acapulco and are safe. But so many people are left behind with no access to basic necessities like fresh water and food. No power for such a long time has spoiled most of the food they had and left them with no cell phones even if communications are restored. I’m collecting donations to purchase food, water, candles, power banks, bathroom essentials and anything else that they are requesting and personally delivering it to my neighbors in Acapulco. The neighborhood is called Emiliano Zapata and it still hasn’t received any help from officials. "
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- Hugo Gaza
Maria Esquivel-De Pablo
Hurricane Otis
October, 2023
"Our friends and family have not been able to have full communication to us but what we do know is the devastation is like no other. Please help us help their communities in providing the necessities. Food, water, clothes and toiletries. The money will be used to take by us directly to Acapulco, Mexico to help buy food, water, toiletries and other necessities. I will personally be transferring ti my account ti BBVA and changing to pesos. The necessities will be bought in Cuernavaca and transported through our truck directly into Acapulco to those affected."
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-Maria Esquivel-De Pablo
Legislation and Policy
A large part of mitigating the damage wrought by hurricanes is addressing the institutional structures that perpetuate the climate crisis and how the government responds to natural disasters.
How To Write a Letter to Congress
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Write a letter to Congress and state politicians about supporting legislation that directly addresses the root causes of climate change in the country. Encourage them to reject bills that actively perpetuate the nonstop emission of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere and the destruction of our environment.
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Contact your local representative and urge them to support The FEMA Equity Act to "address systemic inequities in the Federal government's response to disasters and how it distributes assistance" (Warren, Thompson, Introduce Legislation to Address Federal Disaster Response Inequities). Click here to learn more about FEMA's inequitable distribution.
Wetlands play a vital role in helping minimize the severity of hurricanes. Sign the petitions below to call for the protection of our wetlands.
"All good things must begin."
- CCTA 2023