Bianconeri Stories | Los Angeles-based fans and aid during the wildfires | OneFootball

A few weeks have passed since an event that, in its magnitude and (not only) visual impact, shocked the whole world. We're talking about the wildfires that, at the beginning of 2025, devastated entire areas of Los Angeles, California, leaving numerous victims, hundreds of thousands of forced evacuations from their homes, but also the destruction of over 10,000 buildings and damages quantifiable in over $250 billion.

Los Angeles is a city to which Juventus is particularly attached: the memories of the 2022 and 2023 Tours are still fresh, when the Bianconeri, from their base in Marina del Rey, experienced fantastic days with our fans from California.

An active and vibrant community, the Bianconeri in California, represented by the two Official Fan Clubs present in the territory: JOFC Hollywood and JOFC LA, which together count several dozen members (over 150 people), who never fail to show their passion from the United States' west coast. A passion that, in recent weeks, has made everyone's hearts beat, mobilized in helping each other, in providing assistance and in thinking of useful initiatives for the community.

Giulio Gallese: "A harrowing experience, but the club was a point of reference"

The first testimony we tell you is that of Giulio Gallese, contact person for JOFC Hollywood, chaired by Matteo Rubinato. Born and raised in Modica (RG), Giulio has been living permanently in Los Angeles since 2018 and works between Los Angeles and Orange County.

"The speed with which everything happened was the factor that made the experience truly harrowing," he says. "Just enough time to enter and exit a supermarket and from a calm situation we found ourselves facing the mountain on fire. In a few minutes everything was blocked. We realized we had to return immediately home to pick up our wives and flee. But while Edoardo and Beatrice [we will explain shortly who these two people are], who left a few minutes earlier, managed to get away almost immediately, my wife and I were stuck in the car for 45 minutes in front of our building. In those moments I felt a sense of total powerlessness. It is there that you understand how easy it is for many to lose their heads and act irrationally."

JOFC in LA | Aid during the fire emergency

Giulio mentioned two people, Edoardo and Beatrice: they are two members of the Official Fan Club who live in another area of Los Angeles, in the Pasadena area, where the Bianconeri concluded (at the Rose Bowl) the 2022 Tour. Here are their stories.

Edoardo Mazza: "The club was an extended family"

Born in the province of Biella, Edoardo Mazza has lived abroad since 2009. He has been in the United States since 2016, and since 2023 in Los Angeles. He is a researcher in atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington.

He recounts: "Los Angeles was hit by an unprecedented wave of fires, caused by extreme weather conditions: very strong winds, very low humidity and months of drought. During the emergency, the members of the Juventus Club Hollywood maintained constant contact through our group chat and offered hospitality to those who needed to evacuate. For many of us, who perhaps have lived abroad for a short time and do not have a family support network, the club proved to be a real family. Knowing that we could count on the support of other Juventini made those moments of uncertainty much more manageable. This experience reminded me once again how strong the bond that unites us is and how the passion for the Bianconeri colors can turn into concrete support well beyond football."

Beatrice Magistro: "Solidarity and mutual aid, the heart of this city"

Born in Borgosesia (Piedmont), Beatrice Magistro is a researcher at Caltech in Pasadena. She has lived in North America for 10 years, between Seattle, Toronto and Los Angeles.

"I remember that on Tuesday, 7 January, the Eaton Fire hit the mountains around Pasadena and Altadena. In a few hours the flames spread to the cities. Although there was not yet an official evacuation order, we decided to leave: the fire was moving too fast. The roads were impassable, entire plants had collapsed in the middle of the roadway. We found refuge at Giulio Gallese's house in Hollywood. We thought we were safe there, but the next day, in the late afternoon, another fire broke out behind us, in Runyon Canyon. Immediate evacuation order. Panic spread, the roads were blocked and it took two hours to travel just 30 kilometres and get to safety on the coast. Fortunately, the wind calmed down and the firefighters managed to tame it before it reached the more densely populated areas."

There is one aspect to underline, and an important detail: this is a tragedy that has affected many ordinary people.

Beatrice explains further: "Our house? Our building is still standing, the fire stopped above the highway and we are just below. Apart from the fright and the smoke, we were lucky. But many people were not so fortunate: several of my Caltech colleagues lost their homes during the night. What really struck me was the solidarity around us. Our fan club, in its small way, made a difference: already on Tuesday evening on the chat we were checking on each other, offering help. Giulio did not hesitate to host us, and many other members did the same with those who needed it. The Caltech community also mobilized: we raised 2 million dollars in a week to help those who lost their homes. Bars and restaurants offered free meals to evacuees and firefighters. It was a tragedy, but this city showed an immense heart. The road to recovery will be long, but I am confident that Los Angeles will shine again."

Saeed: "A devastating impact, a very strong community"

A very similar beautiful testimony also comes from Saeed, a Bianconeri fan, member of the Official Fan Club Los Angeles: "It is difficult to describe the feeling we all felt: even though less than 10% of the population was directly affected, the emotional impact devastated us. We all had friends or family who were directly affected and not only that, and we all had memories in some of these wonderful places. Fortunately, none of our members lost their homes, but some had to evacuate. Our fan club immediately contacted everyone and offered our help, if necessary. It was beautiful to see how the community came together all over the city with donations and helping each other. Los Angeles is a large county where over 10 million people live, but there is an underlying feeling, especially if you grew up here, that makes us feel like we live in a small town. Over the decades, much of Los Angeles culture has had a profound impact on all of us: there are fans who live even hours away and make long journeys just to come and see Juventus play together, because they prefer to be near their Bianconeri friends. As the days go by, we continue to support our fans and the community, we have made monetary donations to firefighters and hope to help rebuild the city. It was amazing to see Juventus fans especially from other cities and countries contact us to see how we were doing, the Juve community has a big heart. We can live different lifestyles and in different places, but we are connected through this feeling we get by supporting our favorite team."

After the emergency?

Giulio recounts again: "Fortunately, everything went well, but this experience taught us that no one is immune to a tragedy. We also understood the importance of solidarity: our fan club became a point of support. After the emergency, we launched a donation and volunteer campaign to help those who lost everything. It is a commitment that continues even now, we are a true reference for the local community, to raise funds and materials, and anything that is useful to the population."

A bond that goes beyond football

The experience of the fires in Los Angeles has left a deep mark on the lives of Giulio, Edoardo, Beatrice, Saeed, and many others. But it has also demonstrated how the passion for Juventus can create bonds that go far beyond football.

Our Juventus Official Fan Clubs have been not only meeting points to cheer together, but they have created a real support network in a moment of difficulty.

And as the stories we have told with them demonstrate, even (and especially) in fear, chaos, uncertainty, and danger, the sense of community can make a difference.