House Los Angeles Fire & Huricane Helene Evacuees

Eleanor and Rob Lenfestey and the entire Mandala Springs Family is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

In the aftermath of BOTH the Los Angeles Fires & Hurricane Helene, families have lost everything. Many are now facing the harsh reality of being without shelter, safety, and security.

Winter is Here and hurricane survivors are living in TENTS. This winter has been brutally cold- with temperatures in the single digits often.

We are offering RENT FREE HOUSING.

If you or someone you know needs housing- please have them direct message us on Instagram @mandala_springs or connect with us on our website https://www.mandalasprings.com/

With your help we can offer housing to displaced families!

We are coordinating tiny house donations for survivors of the hurricane who need stable shelter.

So far, we are excited to announce that several Tiny Homes have been donated, the first three are already onsite.

We still need to provide the infrastructure for these Tiny Homes, as outlined below, so your donations are more critical than ever!

Over 140,000 homes were lost or destroyed beyond repair during the Hurricane.

In just a few days FEMAs hotel vouchers will expire. Over 5,000 folks will then be homeless or be scrambling for safety.

Together we can provide stable long term housing for displaced families.

Our excavation and heavy machinery team has worked SO HARD creating terraced flat home sites on the mountainside

Here is what comes next- this is where we need your help! It is a massive project. The cost of water, electricity and gravel are staggering.

Electrical System:

Each tiny home requires a 60-amp service, and we will need to run an individual line to each pad.

Materials:

Main Distribution Panel: A 200-amp panel to serve all units.
Circuit Breakers: Eight 60-amp breakers, one for each unit.
Conduit: Approximately 1,600 feet of 2-inch Schedule 40 PVC conduit (200 feet to the first pad, then 200 feet between each subsequent pad).
Electrical Wire: 1,600 feet of #4 AWG THHN/THWN copper wire for each hot leg and neutral, and #6 AWG for ground.
Grounding Materials: Ground rods, clamps, and grounding wire for each pad.
Weatherproof Disconnects: One per unit for safety and code compliance.
Estimated Costs:
Main Distribution Panel: $200 - $500
Circuit Breakers: $30 - $50 each; total $240 - $400
Conduit: $1.50 - $2.50 per foot; total $2,400 - $4,000
Electrical Wire: #4 AWG at $1.50 - $2.50 per foot; total $2,400 - $4,000 per conductor. Since three conductors are needed (two hot, one neutral), the total is $7,200 - $12,000. Ground wire (#6 AWG) at $1.00 - $1.50 per foot; total $1,600 - $2,400.
Grounding Materials: $10 - $20 per set; total $80 - $160
Weatherproof Disconnects: $50 - $100 each; total $400 - $800

Total Electrical Cost Estimate: Approximately $11,520 - $19,860

Water System:

We already have a well dug in this area. We'll need to run a main water line with branches to each pad.

Materials:

Main Water Line: 200 feet of 1.5-inch PVC or PEX pipe from the well to the first pad.
Branch Lines: 1,400 feet of 1-inch PEX pipe (200 feet between each pad).
Fittings and Valves: Tee fittings, shut-off valves, and connectors for each branch.
Insulation: Pipe insulation to protect against freezing, especially on a hillside.
Pressure Regulators: One per unit to ensure consistent water pressure.

Main Water Line (1.5-inch PVC/PEX): $2.00 - $3.00 per foot; total $400 - $600
Branch Lines (1-inch PEX): $1.00 - $2.00 per foot; total $1,400 - $2,800
Fittings and Valves: $10 - $20 per set; total $80 - $160
Insulation: $1.00 - $2.00 per foot; total $1,600 - $3,200
Pressure Regulators: $20 - $40 each; total $160 - $320

Total Water System Cost Estimate: Approximately $3,640 - $7,080

Shaun is the first person we have been able to coordinate a tiny house donation to! He has been living in a tent- and lost loved ones during the storm. We are choosing not to share a photo of him to protect him privacy.

Mia and her child lost their home during the storm. They, along with their two dogs Bella and Lola, have been couch surfing. Her case with FEMA is stuck in the system and she has not received any support yet. She thought that she might even need to re-home her dogs to create stability for her child.....

They are the next recipients of a tiny house. Please help us get it ready for them!!!

Earlier in our recovery efforts directly after the Hurricane:

From the very beginning Mandala Springs jumped feet first into Hurricane Relief efforts. Much of our early work focused on crisis response like hauling thousands of gallons of water to distribution sites: (check out our water project).

We offered temporary relief housing for folks in bell tents.

This is Brandon and Peter. They have two dogs and a kitten they found in the hurricane. Tragically; they lost their home.

We were able to offer these displaced families:

2-3 healthy meals a day cooked by our kitchen team
safe drinking water
a heater in each tent
heated showers

(one of our bell tents)

(volunteers prepping the next bell tent)

Your generous support will make a tremendous difference in providing support to people who desperately need it.

With love and gratitude,

Eleanor & Rob Lenfestey

And the entire Mandala Springs Community

.......A little bit about us!

Eleanor and Rob here- we are the owners of Mandala Springs; a local eco center.

Our love story began 15 years ago. We were both living in Costa Rica, and boarded planes to India..... at the same time!

We ended up in the *same* little Himalayan Village. But we somehow did not meet!

Three years later we were on the same courtyard in Whistler BC (again, we somehow did not meet). We even have a photo of that moment!

We've since discovered how many times we have been mere feet from each other (in the wildest places around the globe). The universe was slowly nudging us together.

When we finally met 10 years ago: It was electric!

Together we are in partnership with 67 acres lovingly called Mandala Springs- a gathering space that hosts transformative retreats and events.

We have often discussed what our partnership is in service to and our shared value system. This devastating disaster has been a chance for us to step more fully into what we believe and serve our community.

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