After losing his home, possessions, and community to the Eaton fire last year, resident René Amy could’ve put his head down and focused on his own recovery. Instead, the community leader set his sights on rebuilding all of Altadena, California, which was so close to his heart, and meeting the needs of his neighbors.

A big part of that plan involves growing poppy seeds across every square inch of the community.

The Heart

René started the “Great Altadena Poppy Project” last November – an endeavor to plant 250 million poppy seeds across the neighborhood. These small, brightly colored flowers typically bloom in mid-April and, like the people of Altadena, are resilient. “They can grow anywhere on the planet where humans can survive,” said René.

The idea came to him as he began to realize the immensity of the burn scars cutting through the town – fire had razed not only every structure but also the topography of the hillsides. It was almost like a wasteland. But René was determined to show the solidarity of Altadena and the beauty that was still there under the ash and debris. By planting the poppies, the flowers could be symbols to the world that the Eaton fire wasn’t the end of Altadena’s story. Instead, it was a rebirth – one that could even be a beacon to bring back the residents who were now scattered in Airbnbs and hotels across LA.

René, with the support of nonprofits, private organizations, and countless helping hands, has completed the planting. He told us that now “every California poppy plant on the planet will stand and bloom in solidarity with Altadena.”

The Journey

René has always been renowned for his generous contributions to Altadena. He made his living as a contractor specializing in historic renovations – a life in service of returning things to their former glory. When the fires struck, René was part of the group that received evacuation orders way too late. He was only able to run out with a few belongings (and iconically wearing his wife’s turquoise pants). But his extensive collection of tools, the tools of his livelihood, was gone.

But it wasn’t the destruction of his half-a-million-dollar worth of things that hurt René. It was the community. He called it an “overwhelming loss.” So, volunteering his time and effort was not just to help others, but to help his own mental health. That started with passing out vital supplies in the local Grocery Outlet parking lot as a longtime ShelterBox USA ambassador — filling critical gaps in care before major disaster relief organizations like Red Cross and the Army Corps arrived.

That same spirit of being where he’s needed is what motivates the Great Altadena Poppy Project. When the first poppies began to bloom amid the ruins of René’s home, people stopped and took notice. People processed what was lost and smiled at what was coming next. It was joy returning to the sight of tragedy.

The Takeaway

Today, all of Altadena is awaiting the full bloom of the poppies. There’s even a Great Altadena Poppy Festival planned for April 18 to celebrate not just the flowers, but also the community growing once again. 

This is what the Do Good Crew is all about. René is doing his part to rebuild Altadena not just because the community needed it, but because he needed it. It’s a good work that heals not just the land, but his own soul. And, in doing so, makes this world a place we all want to live in.

Altadena Strong, indeed.

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The Person Who Believed In Me

I want to thank Tina Lombardo for sharing the good work that Theresa Chambers of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is doing to help the kids of Horry County. Theresa is making sure they have one of the most important tools they need to be successful in school: clothes.

After years of owning her own consignment stores in Pennsylvania, Theresa moved to South Carolina and started K12-Outfitters – a nonprofit that started by collecting abandoned clothes from school lost and founds; washing them; and then putting five shirts, five shorts, new socks, new underwear, and a pair of shoes in a bag with a note that reads, “you are loved.” These bags are then delivered to area schools, which are free to distribute them to any students dealing with clothing insecurity.

Many of us have experienced the feeling of not being confident in ourselves because we don't feel confident in our clothes. That can have a profound effect on learning. Theresa told us that she discovered that it’s so hard for students to excel academically, socially, and emotionally without adequate clothing… so she felt her calling was to “provide a student ‘armor’ so that they feel proud and self-confident and ready to learn!”

Theresa could always use more donations (here’s her Amazon wish list). But if you’re in the Myrtle Beach area, what Theresa really needs are volunteers to help assemble the bags and bring them to schools. What do you say, Do Good Crew – can we help her out?

In a sweet Easter weekend moment from the Southern California mountains, Bald Eagle parents Jackie and Shadow welcomed “Chick 1” on Saturday and “Chick 2” on April 5th at 8:30am PT – both births livestreamed by Friends of Big Bear Valley, a nonprofit whose webcams have made the duo YouTube favorites since 2015. The arrivals are especially joyful after ravens destroyed their nest last season.