Providing resources, guidance, and connections to empower those affected by the Palisades and local fires. Through collaboration, and sharing trusted knowledge, we aim to strengthen our local communities, fostering resilience & hope.

As a senior in junior high school from Madison junior high, in the valley, circa 1979, Mom, moved us out to the Palisades at 15 years old. There I was suddenly immersed into a whole new culture, the beach surf culture. 

Since music was, and still is my passion, I found a home at the Music Bag, the OG music store in Pacific Palisades (now the Amazing Music store) as my first job of employment. Safe, supportive, and a loving wonderful environment at such a young age Patrick Hildebrand and Ray Sullivan and every music student, friend, even to this day, molded me into the huge hearted philanthropic businessman I am today. 

Growing up in the Palisades makes me feel ever indebted to the most awesome community I’ve ever heard of and came from. This is my time to pay back. Out of the tears and out of the ashes, we are, and will continue to be, “Palisades Dolphin Strong.” 

As we witnessed the tragic events of the wildfires unfold, my heart began to sink. My initial reaction of shock and disbelief quickly turned to extreme sadness. 

Pacific Palisades is a place I grew up, attended junior high & high school, and formed many lasting memories and connections. 

After a few days, I realized that thoughts & prayers would not be enough to impact our community to recover. So, we decided to take action and enroll Pali alumni to join forces and this is how PDS was created. 

We are a pod of dolphins that swim together, and look after each other.

I escaped the fire from Castellemmare Hill in the Palisades on my motorcycle. I am blessed that my father's home is still standing where I was living after caring for him because of dementia for 3 years.

Luckily, we had just moved him into a memory care facility 2 months before the fires.

I so wanted to give back in some way, after processing the shock, disbelief, and grief from others' great loss from this tragedy. My heart broke over the fate of my hometown, and the whirling emotions of friends and neighbors.

Then fellow Palisades High alumni Scott Berger pulled me into this heartfelt empowerment project. I am so happy to be of service for the place where I grew up, and our City of Angels in whatever capacity.

 In 1970, after much searching, my folks found a home in this sweet beach town of Pacific Palisades.

This home would be our place of laughter and happiness, music and cooking and also high school heartache and of course, getting grounded. 

I loved that that home was always there, long after I had moved away.  I could return and visit with the new owner of the house or go to the Palisades Parade or to a friends parents house when that friend had come into town for the holidays. 

How unfathomable to see all the devastation for people I knew growing up and those who came after, who had enjoyed the Palisades the same way that we had.   

That house I grew up in is gone now and I felt lost. 

But, when I heard that my fellow Palisadians were putting together a nonprofit that would serve our community, I immediately said “sign me up“. 

It is my honor and blessing to be a part of this, and to provide for all of those who’ve been affected by these fires. Whether you’ve lost your home, know of somebody who has, or have just been overwhelmed by how cruel and heartbreaking all of this has been, we hope to help you through. 

I grew up in Pacific Palisades since 1968, my mother continued to live there till 2010. The Palisades is and was always a special place for me. I grew up in a mid century House and that influenced my love for architecture. 

There’s always been fires and that’s what influenced me to build fireproof, I incorporated both and became a custom home builder. In the 90s, I moved to Arizona and had a 32 year building career, using ICFs (insulated concrete form), Adobe, Solar, and using sustainable materials always keeping in mind of fireproof. 

While a lot of people are moving out of state. i’m moving back to use my experience in rebuilding the Palisades and Southern California. 

Patrick and family are our honorary POD members.                         "Pacific Palisades," and "Patrick," are synonymous with each other.

For over 50 years, starting with The Music Bag, on Antioch, partnering with Raymond Sullivan, and to the legacy-of-late, The Amazing Music store, he is an icon, a friend, and mentor to many.  "If only everyone was educated correctly about the cyclical events of the wind driven fires to the water every 100 years, as witnessed and taught to us by the indigenous Indians, we may have survived this horrible event."

During a recent conversation Patrick said he mentioned to someone also affected, "I am with you thru the ashes, the tears, and sadness, but we will come out of it with a smile."

Patrick and crew can only claim the Amazing Music Store outdoor "SIGN" as the only surviving item of the store.

Patrick and his son P.J., promise to rebuild.