Los Angeles...I have been searching for words and failing, typing and deleting.
The loss is incalculable. Twenty-four people. Over twelve thousand structures. Tens of thousands displaced. That is what we can count so far, but there is so much we cannot measure. The Palisades and Altadena—they are more than neighborhoods, they are communities that define what it means to belong. Every house is a haven, and a witness to the people who made it a home. Every life is a universe.
There is more to do than there is to say. If one thing can define the aftermath of this moment, it is a revelation—to the world—of who Angelenos really are: First responders risking their lives and their health to protect us. Local journalists keeping us informed so we can make life-saving choices. Neighbors caring for each other, fiercely, in the face of great uncertainty and fear. Small businesses stepping in urgently to give more than what they have. The real estate community policing and reporting price gouging as soon as they see it. Artists creating illustrations of lost homes, as a salve for those mourning what they have lost. I could keep going.
As for goop, we have committed to more than $2M worth of donations of products to charitable organizations including Baby2Baby, Altadena Girls, and various local charities through centralized distribution resources. With the support of our Brentwood store team, we are distributing care packages of beauty and skin care products to goop clients directly affected by the fires. Our very own Chef Kim, who represents the best of us, mobilized goop Kitchen quickly to serve over 800 meals to first responders. More to come as we rebuild.
Los Angeles, I love you.
—GP