Donations trucked to fire victims Beach Cities style, in Tesla Cybertrucks
by Elka Worner
The line stretched around the block at Guidestone Church on Saturday as hundreds of South Bay residents rushed to donate clothes, blankets, towels, and toiletries to the victims of the deadly wildfires that have wiped out entire Los Angeles neighborhoods and pushed tens of thousands out of their homes.

South Bay Volunteers Jennifer Turnbull, Gabby Valerio, Katie Austin, Liz Turnbull, and Kelsey Turnbull with firefighters at their Palisades Fire staging area. The supplies they brought were made possible by Venmo donations coordinated by Katie Austin of the KA Community. Photo courtesy of Kelsey Turnbull
“It was a madhouse,” said Guidestone Pastor Brett Armstrong. “The parking lot was packed, the sidewalk overflowing with people.”
Armstrong said the outpouring of support was overwhelming.
“It was one of the greatest things to see so many people give to something bigger than themselves,” he said.
Inside the church, 300 volunteers sorted through donations while others loaded the items into cars. Volunteers, who had trucks and rented U-Haul trailers, drove to collection centers throughout the county.
The three-day drive was organized by Hermosa Beach resident Liz Tyndorf, who heads the local non-profit Hermosa Hermanos. When she heard her friends lost their Malibu home, she “cried for an hour” and then sprang into action.

Los Angeles County Fire Captain Turnbull and Firefighter Adeniyi at the Palisades Fire at the Palisades Fire staging area, on Sunday, January 12, where they received South Bay donations from Turnbull’s sister Kelsey. Photo courtesy of Kelsey Turnbull“I couldn’t sit back and do nothing while people lost their homes,” she said.
Tyndorf said her biggest challenge was finding a location large enough to accept the hundreds of donations pouring in. “Luckily the church was willing to help out.”
She also wanted to mobilize quickly to help those displaced by the fires.
“We knew the big agencies like the Red Cross were on their way, so we had to act fast and help people right away,” Tyndorf said.
El Segundo resident Kelsey Turnbull was determined to offer aid to the first responders, firefighters on the front lines, security guards at command posts and coroner investigators.

A Tesla Cybertruck demonstrates its cargo capacity. Photo courtesy of Kelsey Turnbull
“My brother’s an LA County Fire captain,” she said. “He’s been to a lot of wildfires and when he comes back, he always talks about how they would go hours without eating.”
Turnbull personally delivered protein bars, beef sticks, electrolyte packages, “things that can’t melt” to first responders at command posts in the impacted areas.
“I had a firefighter cry when I gave him some chapstick,” she said. “They are just so thankful.”
Turnbull said Tesla donated three Cybertrucks, one of which she drove to a command center. The trucks were filled with necessities like wipes, sunscreen, eye drops, wool socks, and high protein snacks for rescue workers.
Tesla donated three Cybertrucks to transport donations from the Beach Cities to area fires. Photo courtesy of Kelsey Turnbull“We’re even bringing in a barber to cut hair for all the frontline workers,” she said.
Mira Costa senior Zak Lachance said he packed his car with blankets, canned food, dog leashes and water bottles, all donations from the school’s lacrosse team. He delivered them to the Salvation Army and Humane Society in Pasadena where many of his friends live.
“I’ve never seen devastation like that before,” he said. “I just felt like I had to help out since it was so close to home.”
Skechers pledged $1 million for fire relief efforts.
“We’re a company with a heart, and Los Angeles is our home,” Skechers President Michael Greenberg said in an internal memo to employees. “While the road ahead may be challenging, I want you to know that our commitment to this community extends far beyond this immediate crisis. We will be here, supporting the long-term recovery and building efforts.”
Even the South Bay Boardriders Club collected donations at their Dive N’ Surf contest over the weekend.
Club President Tom Horton said the group will be collecting surfboards, wetsuits, fishing poles, boogie boards, and swim fins for fire victims.
“Just like the South Bay, many boys, girls, men and women from Pacific Palisades enjoy surfing, swimming, fishing, paddle boarding in the ocean,” Horton said. “We hope this effort can help bring some joy back into their lives after all they have lost and suffered.” ER