JANUARY 26, 2026
East West Bank recently partnered with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity to help complete the Wood family’s home in Altadena—the first rebuilt home in the community following the 2025 wildfires. Team leaders Anthony Wong, Renee Sun, Robert Lo, Steve Chang, and many of our associate volunteers rolled up their sleeves to assist with exterior finishing touches, bringing this meaningful milestone one step closer to a family’s return home.
For Ken and Carol Wood and their family, Altadena has always been more than a place—it has been the heart of their lives, filled with generations of memories, neighbors who felt like family, and a deep sense of belonging. When the Eaton Fire swept through on January 7, all three of the family’s homes were lost, taking decades of memories with them in just minutes. Yet even in the face of unimaginable loss, the strength of their family and the support of the community carried them forward.
During the build day, Nic Arnzen, Chair of the Altadena Town Council, and Victoria Knapp, former Chair, joined volunteers to share gratitude and reflect on the community’s year-long journey of recovery. At the end of the day, volunteers signed the home with messages of encouragement, sending the Wood family off with hope for this new chapter. East West Bank is proud to stand alongside Habitat for Humanity in helping neighbors rebuild not just homes, but the foundation for a brighter future.