We’ve received a number of emails from people checking on us, after seeing news coverage of the fires in Los Angeles. We are okay, thank you. A little too close for comfort, but out of the path of the fires, thankfully. More fortunate than others, including the late Cecilio Smalling’s son, Cecilio Jr. who lost his home in the Altadena fire. (See the post at the SCIFL website, below). Fastpitch players and fans remember his father, each year since 2016 with the Cecilio Smalling Memorial Tournament, hosted by the SCIFL.
We are grateful to our Canadian neighbors for those two ‘Super Scooper’ planes that have proved crucial in battling these fires, and also deeply thankful to the firefighters from California and neighboring counties, states and countries, who has risked their lives to battle the fires.
Keith Morrison (Dateline Keith) is a favorite of ours, has a video that lends some perspective on the fires, to the extent possible, courtesy of local radio host, John Ziegler.
The Palisades
Photo by Chris Cristi, @abc7chriscristi
(click photo to enlarge)
Reposted, below, the note by Jesse Ortiz at the SCIFL league website about the GoFundMe set up for Cecilio Smalling Jr. and his family:
EATON FIRE
In the last few days we have been struck with catastrophic fires that have affected many lives. Our hearts go out to all individuals, kids and families. It is with great sadness to report that one of our SCIFL family members, Cecilio Smalling Jr, lost his house and all his belongings in the Eaton fire. This tragedy was completely unexpected and has been a life changing event. A GoFundMe has been set up to help his family get back on their feet. If you choose to donate kindly click on this link https://gofund.me/e73103eb and please forward to all your players for additional support. Our heart goes out to Cecilio and his family.
Cecilio Jr.’s son, Joshua’s post:
We left the house at 3:30 in the morning on Wednesday January 8th from our house in Altadena when an evacuation order was placed. We went to a parking lot for two hours and realized that we couldn’t stay there, so we had to figure out where else to go. We decided to go to our church and hung out there. We then spent most of the day thinking and wondering about what, or if anything, happened to the house. After 12 painful hours, we made it back to the house to check out the damage, hoping to find at least something salvageable. Instead, all we came back to is a pile of rubble. No, not just a pile of rubble, but a pile of memories. Many years’ worth of video games, TVs, newly bought dishes, and things that we took for granted but now are just ash and dust. We have absolutely nothing.
I have been journaling for years and have years’ worth of notebooks and books. My younger sisters had a whole room worth of toys, but now they are left with nothing except a single coloring book and a box of crayons. Hopes are not the highest, but we are trying to stay at least slightly optimistic for the future. I am the oldest of three, and my family and I have barely anything except ourselves and the clothes on our backs. Anything you can do to help is greatly appreciated.
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