Hope Horizons Aids California Wildfire Victims

By Lake Mannikko, Staff Writer

South Lakes High School student Alden Walcott organized a collection of personal care items for victims of the recent L.A. wildfires. Photo by Alden Walcott.

In the wake of wildfires devastating thousands of Californian homes, South Lakes High School sophomore Alden Walcott organized a supply drive to aid displaced victims. From Feb. 5 to 14, the founder of the nonprofit Hope Horizons, collected more than 100 pounds of toiletries, including paper towels, toilet paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, Ziploc bags, and trash bags—the latter two of which are often overlooked but vital donations, aiding victims in carrying their personal belongings.

Walcott occasionally visits Los Angeles for acting, and has connections to people impacted by the fires. Due to extensive property damage, many families have been forced into homelessness, and Walcott, whose nonprofit focuses on helping homeless populations, was quick to step in and offer aid. “It originally began as an idea that I had to help homeless teens in particular, because I feel like there are a lot of homeless shelters, but a lot of them make it uncomfortable for teenagers,” Walcott explained. “There aren't many resources to help teenagers, mostly just adults.”

Walcott’s goal was to fill three boxes of supplies. By the end of the initiative, she had surpassed her goal. Thanks to the gracious donations from South Lakes students, Hope Horizons collected five boxes of supplies for wildfire victims. In coordination with UPS, who helped sponsor some of the shipping costs, Walcott mailed these items to the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.

This supply drive was Hope Horizons’ first initiative, and Walcott expressed great enthusiasm at the prospect of continuing her efforts. Encouraging folks in the South Lakes community to participate has been one of her greatest joys. “I remember I told one of my friends—he's an officer of a few clubs—and he immediately started contacting a bunch of people and was my number-one supporter… He himself brought in a giant box of supplies to help,” Walcott said. “It's really nice to see everyone come together and have an impact on something outside of just us.”

In the future, Hope Horizons will continue to work toward creating safe havens for homeless teenagers. Walcott intends to keep the momentum going, and hopes to encourage everyone, starting in Reston and ultimately other Fairfax County communities, to reach out to those in need.

“Everyone should find ways to help other people around them,” Walcott said. “You don't have to agree on the same ideas, you don't have to think the same things; you just have to respect people as a whole. If everyone thinks a little bit more about the world around them and a little bit less about themselves, we can all find ourselves living in a happier, safer, and better place.”