Community Council collaborated with Prefect Council to sell Diddy Reese ice cream sandwiches during lunch from Jan. 30-31 to support the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation (LAFD) Wildlife Emergency Fund. The fundraiser comes after the Palisades and Eaton fires, which began on Jan. 7.
Community Council member Cole Grossman ’25, who managed the booth, said he wanted to foster support for the first responders who protected his house from the Palisades Fire.
“The firefighters did great things,” Grossman said. “I live in the Palisades and my house was saved by the firefighters, so it feels good to see the community come together for a good cause.”
Felicia Duan ’27, who purchased from the booth, said she was happy to help the firefighters because they put the city first despite being personally affected by the fires.
“I am glad that we got to help the fire department and the firefighters who work there,” Duan said. “It is so important that we contribute to funding the firefighters because they sacrifice so much for the city even though we are all in a crisis.”
Duan said the firefighters deserve greater compensation for their crucial work, including the incarcerated people from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) that assisted the firefighters.
“The firefighters spend a lot of effort and time away from their own families, but oftentimes they don’t get paid enough,” Duan said. “Some of the inmates get paid less than minimum wage even though they are doing the most essential job.”
Dylan Fullmer ’27, whose house was partially burned in the Palisades Fire, said he purchased from the booth because he knew the proceeds would go to the LAFD.
“I decided to buy some ice cream because I heard the fundraiser was supporting firefighters,” Fullmer said. “It feels great to know that there is support out there for everyone who is affected.”
Elise Kennedy ’27, whose family opened their home to people displaced by the fires, said she bought from the booth because she wants to do as much as possible to assist the reconstruction.
“I’ve seen how much damage the fires have caused in the community and I want to do anything I can to help,” Kennedy said. “The fundraiser makes me feel really happy and hopeful for the rebuilding efforts and the future of our city.”
