2,000 Holiday Gift Bags Destroyed In Downtown Apartment Fire

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Mayor Eric Garcetti's wife started an effort Wednesday to replace 2,000 gift bags intended for low-income seniors that were destroyed by Monday's big fire downtown.

The gifts that were scheduled to be distributed this week were damaged by radiant heat from the inferno at the under-construction DaVinci apartments. At least 160 plate glass windows on one city-owned office tower were damaged or destroyed by heat so intense, aluminum street signs along the Harbor (110) Freeway melted.

The 2,000 gift bags -- which contained slippers, toiletries and other basic items -- were collected as part of the Department of Aging's Project CARE and donated by city employees and others, KNX 1070's Bob Brill reports. They were valued at $80,000.

"The heat generated by this fire shattered the windows of the office in which these bags were stored. That triggered the sprinklers and so between the heat and the water damage, 2,000 holiday gift bags city employees put together were destroyed. We're asking Angelenos to come together and help," said Yousef Rob, a spokesman for the mayor.

Garcetti's wife, Amy Elaine Wakeland, is asking the public to donate money by Dec. 16 replace the gifts that were destroyed. To donate, go to mayorsfundla.org/donate.

"These holiday gift bags are intended to show our appreciation for those whose hard work laid the foundation for the Los Angeles we enjoy today," Wakeland said.

"These aren't luxuries – these are everyday items that can make a world of difference to a senior in need," she said. "I urge all Angelenos to join the mayor and me in making a contribution to this effort to spread some holiday cheer to our neighbors."

Wakeland said she and her husband have donated money to buy the first 25 replacement bags.

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