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MILLE CHENES, Calif. (KABC) –
The week was tough for residents and first responders in Thousand Oaks, but the community made their first steps to recovery by celebrating Thanksgiving a week earlier on Friday.
"Participating in events like this has been very challenging, despite the tough week," said Katie Johns, resident of Agoura Hills.
In addition to food, those whose homes were burned could shop in a variety of stores that donated new clothes, toys and essentials.
The event had been imagined just a few days ago by the owners of Proactive Sports Performance, who had themselves been evacuated due to the fire. Shortly after, more and more companies continued to participate in the planned event.
"Tonight, it's about raining down those who have lost so much – that it's about their home or a loved one when shooting at the border", has said the owner Emily Capretta. "And all our first responders – we want to overwhelm these people with love and support from the community, and if for a second it takes away an ounce of pain, it brings them into a place that brings them a smile, we did our job. "
Several professional athletes also affected by the fire attended the event, including Christian Yelich, a native of Thousand Oaks, who was named the National League's most valuable player on Thursday.
"It has been a difficult week for many people … just doing what you can to help people get back on their feet," Yelich said.
Yelich's teammate in Milwaukee, Ryan Braun, himself a former MVP from Mission Hills, is still being evacuated from his home in Malibu.
"I do not know how long we will be out of our house but just to see the devastation of so many friends driving in these neighborhoods, it's heartbreaking, man. That's really it" said Braun.
The gift will continue well beyond this event. Up to now, about $ 75,000 has been raised at the Thanksgiving Community Dinner. If you want to donate to Borderline and Woolsey Fire victims, click here.
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