A memorial was held for Larry Vein, the founder of the Pali Strong Foundation, on Wednesday at the Palisades Recreation Center.
After the Palisades Fire, Vein shared updates, resources, and recovery information through social media and local events. His friends and colleagues said his efforts helped residents navigate a confusing recovery process and provided reassurance during a difficult period.
Vein died on April 17th by suicide. His friend, Jessica Roger, told KNX News’ Craig Fiegener that Vein took on a lot of anger from people after a $100 million fire aid fundraiser for not insisting that the money go directly to homeowners instead of nonprofit organizations.
”The situation was people needed a scapegoat,” she said. “People were angry. People don't understand. They don't understand how funding needs to come. Thousands of people displaced overnight, unable to come home. When you take away people's security, it will make some go mad, and it will make people just demand, pressure, and push because they are pushed to the brink, and unfortunately, sometimes innocent people get caught in the middle.”
Rogers said Vein was “all about hope and community.
“He just wanted to bring joy and assistance to this community, and he did it day in and day out with a smile on his face, his little toddler in tow, and he was just the happiest guy to do such a thing for the community,” she said. “He was a unifier.”
Sam Lagana, another friend, said when the fires happened, Vein wanted to bring people together.
“He did so many things that people would have never known behind the scenes to help extend the stay of the police department or the National Guard, to work with the Army Corps of Engineers to get things done in an efficient manner, and many people had no idea,” he said.
Vein was 61 years old. He leaves behind two children, his mother, and his brothers.
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