URGENT UPDATE: Two Dragons Martial Arts, a beloved Altadena institution for over 30 years, is in a race against time to secure funding for a new location following the devastating Eaton Fire that destroyed its original studio. Owner Shelene Hearring is urgently seeking community support to raise $600,000 through a GoFundMe campaign, emphasizing the need to rebuild the martial arts studio that has been a cornerstone of the community.
Just in January, Eyewitness News reported live as flames engulfed the studio, leaving Hearring without both her business and her home. “When you wake up in the morning and it’s all gone, your whole life, there are no words really to describe it,” said Hearring, reflecting on the emotional toll the loss has taken.
Hearring has been holding classes in parks and garages, striving to keep her students engaged. However, she stresses the importance of returning to a permanent home to continue serving the community. “It must come back. The only way that we are going to be really visible in this community is that we need to be here, need to stay here,” she stated passionately.
The clock is ticking, and Hearring faces significant challenges as her insurance refuses to pay for the losses, leaving her with no choice but to turn to the public for help. “This opportunity of a lifetime only comes once. I’ve got to get this done,” she declared.
Hearring is calling on local business owners and investors to join her in purchasing the property where Two Dragons has operated for decades. “Help us! Help us connect. Help us to get back to home. We want to get back home,” she pleaded, urging the community to step up in this critical time.
With the GoFundMe campaign launched, every contribution becomes crucial for Hearring and her mission to rebuild. She hopes the community will rally around her as they collectively work to restore this vital piece of Altadena’s legacy.
Time is of the essence, and the community’s response could determine the future of Two Dragons Martial Arts. As Hearring fights to reclaim a space that has meant so much to so many, the urgency for support has never been greater.