When wildfires tore through Los Angeles in January 2025, uncertainty swept across the region—families were displaced, homes were lost, and communities felt torn apart. But in the midst of disaster, something remarkable emerged: a wave of compassion and action came through the region.  The YMCA of Metropolitan responded quickly, and nearly 30,000 volunteers joined in.

From the San Fernando Valley to the South Bay, LA Y centers became more than just gyms and community spaces—they transformed overnight into emergency response hubs. These centers served as donation distribution sites, safe places for families to gather and access resources, and vital connection points for those offering help and those in need of it.

At the Collins & Katz Family YMCA in Brentwood, near the heart of the Palisades Fire zone, one of those volunteers was Shar—a local with deep ties to the area who turned compassion into action.

“My name is Shar. I’ve been volunteering at the Collins & Katz Family YMCA to help with their fire relief efforts,” he shared. “The YMCA has been helping the Palisades and Malibu communities ever since the fires happened and continues to do so.”

Shar, who attended Palisades High School, had friends and family directly impacted by the fire. The experience was personal—and emotional.

“All of this hit me very close to home. It’s been an emotional experience,” he said. “Volunteering at the Y has been amazing. Seeing the community response and support, the outpouring of donations has been phenomenal.”

At Collins & Katz, Shar played a key role in collecting and organizing donated goods—everything from clothes and blankets to hygiene products and diapers—in the community room. Families who had lost everything could come and find what they needed in a calm, welcoming environment. But Shar’s impact extended beyond logistics.

“It feels great to be able to help people who have been impacted,” he explained. “Not just helping them pick out things they need from the donated items, but giving them a hug and showing emotional support is very meaningful and has struck a positive influence within me.”

The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles has long stood as a Center for Community Well-Being, and the wildfire response showed that mission in action. Whether it was volunteers distributing essentials, providing free emergency childcare, or checking in on neighbors, the community’s commitment to one another was evident in every box packed and every hand extended.

“It is very meaningful to volunteer at an organization which I see is doing so much good to help people in need and truly is there for its community members,” Shar said. “I see the Y meeting the needs of its communities regardless of circumstance, and that makes the volunteering efforts even more impactful and meaningful.”

Thanks to people like Shar—and tens of thousands more—the Y was able to meet the moment. The impact of those 30,000 volunteers continues to echo across Los Angeles, not only in recovery but in the deeper sense of unity and resilience they helped build.

Because of volunteers, the Y doesn’t just respond in a crisis—it leads.

And because of the Y, people like Shar have a place to give back, connect, and make a difference when it matters most. Learn more about volunteering today here.