Childhood Palisades Friends Create Nonprofit Focused on Restoration Efforts

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Turning tragedy into triumph is the mission of four Palisadians who are committed to rebuilding the community they grew up in and hold dear.

In the aftermath of the Palisades fire that devastated the town they call home, brothers Spencer and Justin Howard have teamed with twins Will and Haley Holbrow to found Palisades Forever, an organization that is solely devoted to the restoration and revitalization of the public spaces, businesses, schools, landmarks and recreational areas that have made Pacific Palisades a special and singular place to live.

Upon seeing so many local restaurants, stores and homes burned down in the blaze that started January 7, these childhood friends immediately came together to form a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to making every donation and purchase count. Partnering with trusted community groups and other nonprofits, they have already raised well over $100,000, and 100% of the proceeds go back to the community.

“Pacific Palisades needs your help,” read the Palisades Forever website. “In the wake of devastating fires, countless families have been displaced, and many of our cherished landmarks, schools and businesses have been destroyed. The task will be monumental, requiring leadership, vision and stamina. As lifelong residents of the Palisades, we want our community back.”

The Howard brothers and Holbrow siblings were born and raised in the Alphabet Streets. Spencer and Justin attended Palisades Charter Elementary, Paul Revere Charter Middle and Palisades Charter High schools (graduating in 2017 and 2019, respectively) while twins Haley and Will also attended Pali Elementary and Pali High (both graduating in 2017).

“As we watched our town and homes go up in flames on live TV, the four of us and other close friends sat in awe, unable to comprehend the reality of what was taking place,” Justin recalled. “It was a mix of shock, sadness and utter disbelief that just a few hours ago, the Palisades stood in all its beauty and it was now unrecognizable.”

Justin said that “pretty immediately” after the fire started, the four friends felt a responsibility to help the community that had given them “so much.”

“I remember vividly FaceTiming my brother and Will, and strategizing about how to get the right materials, shovels and hard hats to go fix the Palisades ourselves, eager, if not desperate, to reverse the hand that had been dealt,” Justin continued. “As mid-20-year-olds who all moved away for college, we gained a heightened perspective of how special the Palisades is. When we’d come back for the holidays or college break, we soaked it all in—the utopia that is the Palisades— recognizing how lucky we were to play PPBA on the Field of Dreams or bike ride around town with our friends at the age of 10 or take our dogs on long walks to sweeping views of the ocean.

“We don’t take it for granted and recognize the role it played in our life, and I think that’s why we felt so compelled to play our part in the restoration and recovery.”

Justin, who helped Pali High capture three City Section boys volleyball championships before going on to play middle blocker at Ohio State, stressed how important it was to take swift action.

“Too distracted to work and each feeling helpless in the days following the fire, we all channeled the mix of emotions in dealing with the loss of our childhood homes, town and community into working tirelessly to build Palisades Forever,” he said. “Recognizing that the media attention and fundraising would be at all-time highs closest to the fires, we wanted to capitalize on that attention as soon as we could. We built a website, sourced manufacturers for our apparel, registered for nonprofit status and launched all within five days of the fire. For the four of us, pouring our time and energy into a cause like this does not feel like a job but more of a responsibility that energizes and excites us.”

Haley, who went to Northeastern University and lives in New York City, reiterated the main goal of Palisades Forever.

“Simple: Support the recovery and rebuilding efforts in Pacific Palisades,” Haley described. “We feel incredibly lucky to call the Palisades home, and we’re committed to bringing it back even stronger than before so that kids and families for generations to come can experience the same joys of growing up in such a special place that we did.”

She elaborated on the strategy she and her co-founders have adopted.

“By partnering with trusted community groups and mission-aligned nonprofits, we’re focused on funding critical efforts that fall outside city and state budgets, ensuring the recovery goes further and the Palisades returns stronger than ever,” Haley said.

Will and Spencer are currently roommates in Chicago. Will, who attended the University of Michigan, stressed the importance of collaborating with other entities.

“As we continue to move from devastation to restoration, we’re committed to working hand in hand with local schools, community leaders and the institutions that make the Palisades feel like home,” he said. “Every dollar we’ve raised is directed toward projects that’ll have a lasting, meaningful impact—whether that’s rebuilding damaged infrastructure or restoring the places we love. We’re currently in early conversations with local schools, recreational centers and other Palisades-based nonprofits that share our mission. While we continue to gather input and assess where our funds can have the greatest impact, we’re focused on building partnerships that lead to meaningful, community-driven outcomes.”

Palisades Forever products range in size from small to XXL and include Hometown Hoodies (made of cotton/polyester and featuring a custom map of the Palisades, available in ivory, blue or pigment black); Hometown T-shirts (available in white, navy or black); Palisades Forever Hoodies; Cleanup Crew Long Sleeve and Tees (black); and Palisades Forever Tees (white).

Spencer, who played in AYSO Region 69 and captained the Pali High soccer team his senior year, noted the many ways people can support.

“You can donate directly or purchase custom Palisades apparel with profits going directly to recovery efforts—all through our website,” he said. “You can also support by participating in local community events, and helping share and amplify our mission. As the devastation from the wildfires fades from the news cycle, recovery efforts are just getting started.”

The zeal and creativity of this “Fab Four” assured that new apparel and community events are already in the works.

“As we look ahead to the next six to 12 months, our goal is to help catalyze restoration and recovery efforts by partnering closely with the community and its leaders,” Spencer said. “We aim to raise continued awareness of the ongoing needs here in the Palisades, both in the community and among those outside who are eager to support. We’re excited to build on the momentum we’ve created and remain a trusted resource for those looking to make a difference. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to get involved.”

For more information, visit palisadesforever.com or instagram.com/palisades_forever.

The cast, crew and pit orchestra of the Palisades Charter High School performances of “Legally Blonde the Musical” enjoyed a two-weekend, sold-out run at the Santa Monica High School Humanities Center.

“The show was an amazing celebration of the resilience of our Pali performing arts community,” Directors Cheri and Monique Smith said. “The spring musical took place against all odds with both virtual rehearsals and meetings at numerous in-person locations on the Westside. Pali’s unbelievable talent was on full display in this collaboration between the theater, choral music, instrumental music and dance programs.”

The directors “raved” about the “dedication of their students, parents and colleagues,” including Allison Cheng, Peter Ye and Chris Barton.

“This show was one we will never forget,” the directors said. “Watching these artists come together, after all they have been through, was so inspiring. Hope and generosity were on full display.”

Former Honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades Steve Guttenberg won a Christopher Award for his memoir “Time to Thank: Caregiving for My Hero.” The book was one of 12 awarded in the program’s 76th year.

“The Christopher Awards celebrate authors, illustrators, writers, producers and directors whose work ‘affirms the highest values of the human spirit’ and reflect the Christopher motto: ‘It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,’” read a statement about the program. “After his father—the hero and strength of the family—is diagnosed with kidney failure, Guttenberg dedicates himself to becoming a caregiver and reflects on their life together, from childhood through his Hollywood career.”

Guttenberg told the Palisadian-Post that he is “proud” of the Christopher Award and “delighted” by its choosing the book as one of the honorees.

“Any time one’s work gets acknowledged, it is an honor,” he said.

Sharif Ossayran and Khalid Al Mukhater joined mother and son Steve and Ann Kerr for dinner after Ossayran was selected as the winner of a fundraising raffle with tickets sold by Rotary Club of Pacific Palisades, which resulted in a $10,000 donation to Palisades Charter High School athletic programs and club activities. Steve, head coach of the Golden State Warriors and a Pali High graduate, partnered with the club to sponsor, with a grand prize of joining him for dinner.

An opening reception with a “packed crowd of a few hundred attendees” for Rustic Canyon artist and resident Marta Chaffee took place on March 22 at Gallery 169 in Canyon Square. Her new body of work, “Grasses”— described as a collection of closely observed drawings that “reflect both the majesty, resilience and the often-overlooked complexity of … humble plants”—will be on display at the gallery through April 27.

“After several years away from painting, a life-altering event pulled her back into the studio,” according to information shared about the artist. “When a 50-year-old live oak tree fell on her Pacific Palisades home, it also cracked open her studio and stimulated her art practice, pushing her to create again.”

The 18 “deeply meditative drawings” were among the few possessions Chaffee took with her when evacuating during the Palisades fire.

Cali Gilbert Launches Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund to Support Female Entrepreneurs

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Through the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, renaissance woman Cali Gilbert has a goal of making a difference.

Gilbert is the founder and CEO of Tower 15 Productions, a nonprofit aimed at supporting women and entrepreneurship.

“Tower 15 Productions officially launched in 2019 as a film production company for my films, but became a 501(c)(3) in 2021 when I realized I wanted to focus solely on social impact documentaries, and support women via entrepreneurship mentoring and training,” Gilbert explained.

A 10-time bestselling author and an award-winning filmmaker of social impact documentaries, she is now doing all she can to support her Pacific  Palisades neighbors and “entrepreneurial sisters” by creating the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund to aid women who lost their businesses in the recent fires.

“We’ve launched the 325 Campaign in hopes of reaching 325 women to donate $1,000 each to the campaign over the course of the next three years,” Gilbert said. “We’re also putting together the pieces to create a documentary entitled ‘PALIstrong: Women Rise to Rebuild Pacific Palisades,’ chronicling the stories of these amazing women.”

Gilbert currently splits time between Los Angeles and San Diego, where she looks after her elderly father. She recently spent two weeks in Santa Monica where she was able to get back to the Palisades and check in with the women she is supporting.

Gilbert settled in Santa Monica in late 2013 after experiencing a year of homelessness. By the next summer, she frequently biked down Entrada to Will Rogers State Beach and hiked Temescal Gateway Park.

“We’re in the process of reaching out in various ways,” she said. “First through my extensive professional network on LinkedIn and through my creative network. We also wanted to confirm the ladies that we’re supporting before we aggressively begin fundraising.”

Gilbert has a close connection to the Palisades.

“I was in North Santa Monica prior to moving to Oceanside last June but most of my time was spent in the Palisades,” she said. “My mom passed away at the end of 2023, and I moved my 84-year-old dad from Maryland in with me. We couldn’t find something on the Westside that suited us both, so we decided on North County San Diego.

“I’m grateful now, as we would’ve had to evacuate and I’m not sure he would’ve been up to it. The Reel Inn became the meeting spot for lunch with friends and out of town guests, and when I moved Dad to California last year, I made sure I took him there. Now, I’m so glad I did, as our haven burned to the ground in the Palisades fire.”

Although she did not lose her home, Gilbert knows many people who did. As an artist, one of her favorite Palisades spaces is the Getty Villa, and she is thankful the museum and its grounds survived the fire.

“When the fire broke out, my heart sank,” she recalled. “The Palisades has been a very special place in my heart since 2014, and I knew I needed to do what I could to be of support. So many friends and colleagues lost everything.”

Gilbert came up with the concept of 325, which represents the following: a three-year fundraising campaign with two missions (support entrepreneurial sisters and rebuild the Palisades) with five women/businesses that are initially supported.

The fundraising goal is to raise at least $325,000 for the selected women over the next three years, of which $250,000 will be divided equally among them. The remaining $75,000 will be applied to administrative costs over the course of 36 months, as Gilbert said she will be spending more time in affected areas and working one-on-one with each woman.

The first 10 women to donate become members of the Founder’s Circle and receive a host of benefits, including perks when the film is released (like advanced screening invites and goodie bags).

In addition to the Founder’s Circle there will be Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze level donors.

The initial PALIStrong beneficiaries are Rosalyn Phipps, lead designer and manager of Palisades Flowers; Stephanie Kanan and Dr. Antonia Balfour, founders of Oasis Palisades, a health and wellness center; Mercedes, Vanessa and Sabrina Pellegrini of the family-owned Vittorio’s Italian Restaurant; and Firdosi Wharton-Ali, The Script Righters, who runs a home-based screenwriting business.

“‘The PALIstrong’ documentary won’t be released until at least early 2028,” Gilbert predicted. “In the film, we’re chronicling the stories of the women we’re supporting between the time of the fires and throughout the rebuilding process of the next three years. I’ve been thinking of possibly doing a documentary series between now and then with some of the footage we’ve already collected.”

For more information, visit tower15productions.com.