Rebuilding Memories: How Mixbook is Helping Methodist Preschool of Pacific Palisades Recover After the Wildfires

For 80 years, Methodist Preschool of Pacific Palisades has been a home away from home for young learners and their families. It’s a place where childhood memories are made—where tiny hands create art, friendships take root, and milestones are celebrated.

But when the devastating LA wildfires swept through the community, the school building was reduced to ashes. Along with it, countless families lost everything, including their cherished keepsakes. Among the items lost were Mixbook yearbooks—a tradition that has been part of the preschool for over a decade.

In a time of heartbreak, Mixbook stepped in to help restore what was lost.

A Tradition Worth Rebuilding

Since 2013, Methodist Preschool has worked with Mixbook to create personalized classroom yearbooks for every student. These aren’t just photo albums—they’re deeply personal keepsakes, filled with moments of laughter, learning, and growth.

Each year, the school celebrates the completion of these books with a breakfast picnic. Families gather, flipping through pages filled with drawings, class projects, and handwritten notes from teachers. It’s a tradition that captures the heart of the Methodist Preschool experience—community, connection, and storytelling.

When the fire took everything, these books became more than just paper and ink. They became a symbol of resilience.

Restoring More Than Yearbooks—Restoring Hope

When devastating natural disasters like the Los Angeles wildfires happen, our most precious mementos and photos can be lost or destroyed. Our Rebuild Reconnect initiative helps those impacted reclaim what truly matters–their memories. When Mixbook learned about the losses the school faced, we knew we had to help.

“Memories are the heart of who we are, and losing them can feel like losing a part of ourselves. But with love, community, and a little help, they can be rebuilt. Through Rebuild Reconnect, we’re honored to restore not just yearbooks, but the stories that bring a community together.” - Leslie Albertson, Director of Brand at Mixbook.

We partnered with one of our local LA print partners to reprint and personally hand-deliver the lost yearbooks to affected families—at no cost to them.

“For families who have gone through so much, knowing that they can recover these priceless memory books brings them so much gratitude and hope,” said Amy, the school’s Resource Coordinator.

Many parents lost every earthly possession in the fire. For them, these yearbooks are more than just mementos. They are reminders of the childhood moments that can never be replaced.

One parent shared how much it meant to receive their child’s yearbook again:

"These books remind us of a time before everything changed. They give us something to hold onto, something tangible from those precious early years."

The Road to Recovery: What’s Next for Methodist Preschool?

While the yearbooks have been restored, the school itself is still on a long journey to rebuilding. Methodist Preschool is now operating out of a temporary space in West LA and working hard to restore its vibrant learning community.

There’s an urgent need to replace classroom supplies, furniture, outdoor play equipment, and technology. Additionally, as a non-profit organization, the preschool faces financial challenges due to a loss of enrollment and operational funding.

For those who want to support Methodist Preschool’s mission, donations can be made through their GoFundMe campaign. Every contribution goes directly toward helping the school rebuild and continue providing high-quality early childhood education.

Beyond financial donations, Methodist Preschool is also looking to spread the word about its programs. Families in the Los Angeles area looking for a nurturing, play-based preschool experience are encouraged to visit the school’s website to learn more about enrollment and upcoming tours.

The Power of Healing in Storytelling

Amid the recovery process, one thing has become clear: memories matter.

“Storytelling is a wonderful vehicle for learning, growth, and healing,” Amy shared. “We heal in community with others, and our memories can live on because we continue to share our stories.”

That’s exactly what Methodist Preschool is doing—turning a tragedy into a story of resilience, rebuilding, and hope.

The Role of Yearbooks in Capturing Memories That Last a Lifetime

At Mixbook, we believe that yearbooks are more than just end-of-year traditions. They preserve childhood moments in a way that digital albums simply can’t. They become keepsakes that last a lifetime, filled with the faces, friendships, and memories that shape us.

Whether it’s for a preschool, a high school, or a community group, our custom yearbook program makes it easy to create meaningful memory books. From fully customizable designs to high-quality printing, we’re here to help schools and organizations capture their most important moments.

To learn more about how you can create a Mixbook yearbook for your school or community, visit our yearbook page.

Because some stories deserve to be told—and remembered—forever.