PACIFIC PALISADES – Paul and Susan Tracey, longtime residents of Pacific Palisades, lost their home of 48 years in the devastating Palisades Fire. As they sifted through the charred remains, they were joined by volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse, a faith-based disaster relief organization assisting wildfire victims across Southern California.
Paul, originally from South Africa and raised in England, is an accomplished musician, songwriter, and performer. A true Renaissance man, he has appeared on Broadway, written songs for The Muppets, and performed internationally, including on The Tonight Show. His work includes contributions to the second season of The Muppet Show, with songs featured in episodes starring Madeline Kahn, Rudolf Nureyev, and Milton Berle. He also co-authored Wait a Minim!, a musical revue that ran internationally for seven years. A lifelong advocate for arts education, Paul has received multiple awards for his contributions, including a lifetime achievement award from the California Alliance for Arts Education.
Paul built and expanded their home over the decades, filling it with irreplaceable artifacts collected during their travels—kudu horns, African instruments, and a collection of masks. Susan, an artist, lost her home studio, including her jewelry-making tools and personal keepsakes.
On Thursday, February 20, 2025, dressed in protective gear, Samaritan’s Purse volunteers carefully sifted through the debris, hoping to recover any remaining belongings. Despite the widespread destruction, they unearthed a few unexpected treasures—a nearly intact Mexican sculpture, silverware, and cherished family cups from a 1994 reunion. One of the most emotional moments came when they discovered Paul’s longtime Scrabble set, which he had used in weekly games with his late best friend.
“This experience is surreal,” Susan shared. “To be sitting in the midst of the ashes of our lives, and to have all these wonderful people giving their time, comfort, and love—it’s incredibly humbling.”
The Palisades Fire, which erupted on January 7, 2025, scorched over 23,000 acres, destroying thousands of structures and displacing more than 100,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the San Fernando Valley. Fueled by intense Santa Ana winds and prolonged drought conditions, the fire overwhelmed emergency response efforts and left widespread devastation in its wake.
Samaritan’s Purse, led by Franklin Graham, has been providing disaster relief across the United States since 1998. The organization is known for being among the first to arrive and the last to leave, offering not just physical assistance, but also emotional and spiritual support to those in need.
While Paul and Susan remain uncertain about whether they will rebuild, they expressed immense gratitude for the kindness of strangers. “We may have lost our home,” Paul said, “but we’ve gained an entire community of people who care.”
For those in need of assistance or looking to volunteer, Samaritan’s Purse continues to provide aid in wildfire-affected areas. More information can be found at SamaritansPurse.org.
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