Readers Digest NZ Dec/Jan 2025

THE WASHINGTON POST (JAN. 19, 2025), COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY THE WASHINGTON POST. Tragos says she will forever be grate- ful to Heber. “It means the world,” she says. “We’re in a position where we have nothing, and anything like that, especially pieces that commemorate what the house meant to us—it is really uplifting.” Heber works as a brand strategist and does commissioned paintings— primarily of people’s homes—on the side. She typically charges between $350 and $400 per painting. “I moved around a lot when I was younger, and so the meaning of home is significant to me,” Heber says, noting that she has the word home tattooed on her forearm. After the wildfires started, Heber thought about ways she could contrib- ute. A friend sent her an Instagram post by another local artist offering to draw people’s homes at no charge, and Heber was inspired. “This will be my way to help people,” said Heber. Shortly after she posted her offer on social media, requests started coming in. Heber has created more than 25 paintings, including one for Jeremy Wineberg, whose home in Pacific Palisades was destroyed. “It was a place you never wanted to leave,” says Wine- berg, adding that the house had been in his family for nearly 30 years. At the time of the fire, Wineberg was home with his partner, Zander Jimenez, and their two dogs, Winnie and James. Wineberg was able to grab his jewelry box and iPad before they had to flee. He left the rest of his belongings behind. “It’s not just stuff; it was everything that represents me, and I just feel so lost right now,” says Wineberg, who went to stay at his father’s home, 130 miles away. Jimenez came across Heber’s painting offer on Instagram and eagerly sent her a message. “We told her our story, and she so kindly and lovingly made such a beau- tiful memory that looks exactly as if it was a photograph,” says Wineberg. “We’re going to frame it and put it in our new home eventually.” Heber is glad people find her paint- ings meaningful, saying, “Hopefully it inspires others to use their talents to help people.” A watercolor of Charlotte Tragos’s house that burned down, by Jordan Heber reader ’ s digest 22 Everyday Heroes december 2025/january 2026 | readersdigest.co.nz 2025 C h a r i t y Overcoming barriers to healthcare Keep the Flying Doctor flying. Learn how you can support us. www.flyingdoctor.org.au