Lake County Gazette

CBS Channel 4 recently visited Orchard Park Academy to highlight students who are writing cards and letters of encouragement for families affected by the Los Angeles County wildfires.

The fires, which began on January 7th and impacted communities like Pacific Palisades and Altadena, have destroyed homes and schools. This has forced many children into online learning while residing in rented apartments or with extended family in nearby towns.

“You are in my prayers during this difficult time,” read one letter. “It’s OK to grieve what you’ve lost,” wrote another student. The cards were decorated with calming images such as rainbows, flowers, hearts, and sunsets to lift the spirits of their peers on the West Coast. Some students also wrote their letters in Spanish.

The school-wide effort was organized by new teacher and California native, Claire Pasco. Pasco has been in Colorado for less than a year but is familiar with similar tragedies like the Marshall fire of December 2021 that started in Boulder County under comparable conditions—months of dry weather and high winds.

While many organizations are distributing household goods, food, and water, Pasco felt that emotional support was equally important, especially for children. She collected hundreds of letters which were delivered to Los Angeles fire victims last week.