Los Angeles love! Moonshadows proprietor JD Slajchert sat down with ET to share how the California group has come collectively to assist his household’s restaurant in Malibu, California after dropping it to the wildfires in Jan. 2025.

The eatery, visited by Britney Spears, LeAnn Rimes, Lupita Nyong’o, Kim Kardashian, and extra, was a go-to spot for well-known faces and past.

“What made Moonshadows so distinctive was that at one desk you may have a few of the most notable A-list celebrities, and at the desk beside them, there could possibly be a standard household out to have a good time a birthday. It was an genuine melting pot. I feel that was one thing that each celebrities and common patrons alike loved,” he defined.

And the outpouring love and assist the former Division I athlete has obtained since is a testomony to simply that.

“1000’s of individuals from throughout the world have reached out, usually sharing their favourite photographs and reminiscences from the restaurant. It has been so touching and immensely useful for my household and I as we navigate this tough state of affairs to have the ability to tangibly really feel that reminder about how impactful Moonshadows was,” he continued.

Along with receiving heartfelt messages, the novelist began a GoFundMe for the restaurant employees, which raised over $100,000, they usually have been capable of serve a few of their hottest dishes at their sister spot, The Sundown.

“My hope is that we’ll proceed to stay collectively and stay resilient. … Will probably be laborious, and it’ll take time, however I am assured in our group to bounce again. I imagine in L.A.,” he shared.

Whereas the screenwriter has confronted his personal hardships lately, it hasn’t prevented him from serving to others, together with these struggling with Sickle Cell Illness after dropping his good friend and UCSB basketball fan, Luc Bodden, to the well being situation. 

“I imagine that giving again is the most vital factor we do. … I credit score this straightforward lesson in humility to my finest good friend, Luc. … Luc taught me that even when it is one thing small, we’ve to at all times be looking for others,” the motivational speaker famous. 

in 2017, Slajchert even launched The LucStrong Foundation, a non-profit group that helps the household and youngsters recognized with the blood dysfunction, and in 2018, he wrote MoonFlower, a best-selling novel about their bond, each of which consistently encourage him.  

“Luc was legendary, and I do know he may tackle any problem thrown his manner, however it’s today that I really feel his legendary energy an increasing number of, and since he’s not right here with us, I really feel an awesome duty to hold his message ahead to a group that’s significantly in want of his inspiration proper now,” he mentioned forward of what would have been Bodden’s nineteenth birthday on Might 12.

“Stand tall, love one another, and keep in mind that you’re not alone and that we’ll get by way of this. Brighter days are forward, I promise,” he added.

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