January 10th 2025.
Marissa Hermer and her family were just like any other residents in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, going through their daily routines and enjoying life in sunny California. But then, everything changed. The raging wildfires that had been ravaging Los Angeles for the past four days had reached their neighborhood, and they were forced to evacuate their home.
Marissa, a well-known entrepreneur in California, shared her experience of having to flee her home with Metro. It was a devastating and surreal moment for her, as she had to quickly pack up what she could and leave behind everything she had worked so hard for. She had been on a canyon hike with her two dogs and a friend when they saw smoke over the coastal Pacific Palisades neighborhood, including near her children's school.
Despite the chaos and fear around her, Marissa managed to pick up her children and proceed on foot to her home after a friend advised her not to drive due to the danger. The Los Angeles wildfires had already claimed 10 lives and forced 179,000 people to evacuate their homes, and Marissa and her family were among them.
As she made her way through the flames and smoke, Marissa described the scene as "very scary." Their neighborhood, which was usually a beautiful beachside community, was now engulfed in flames and darkness. It was a moment she would never forget, and she couldn't believe it was happening.
Marissa, her husband Matt, and their three children and dogs eventually found refuge in a hotel in Laguna Beach, where Marissa had grown up. But instead of just waiting for the disaster to pass, they decided to take action. They used their two restaurants in West Hollywood to serve the community, cooking meals for displaced families and collecting donations for their You Give, We Cook, They Eat initiative, which they had started during the pandemic.
For Marissa, cooking was something she knew how to do, and she wanted to use her skills to help those in need. She had even written a cookbook based on her time in London, where she had worked in public relations before returning to California. But as she waited to see what would happen to their home and community, she couldn't help but feel a mix of despair and hope.
The family, along with thousands of others, had no idea if they would even have a home to return to. Their neighborhood was on the fireline, and the situation was still uncertain. But amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Marissa and her family remained strong and hopeful, relying on each other for support and comfort.
They spent three nights in the hotel, and the National Guard kept their neighborhood shut down. But there were signs that the situation was beginning to improve, with the winds lessening and more support for the emergency crews. Marissa and her family knew they just had to wait and hope for the best.
As they continued to reach out to those in need and accept pledges from those who wanted to help, Marissa and her husband realized that they were not just business partners, but also a family. And they would do whatever it takes to support each other and their community during this difficult time.
As the wildfires continued to burn and the situation remained uncertain, Marissa and her family stood strong, determined to pull through together. They knew that this experience would stay with them forever, but they also knew that they had to stay positive and have hope. And in the midst of chaos and destruction, they found strength and unity in their family and community.
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