Day 1 and 2:
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
Your support helps so much more than we can express right now through this terrible tragedy.
We're still in shock and it's extremely overwhelming. The person suspected is now apprehended.
The rebuilding cost of my mom's place falls at about or over $100,000. That doesn't even begin to include all the personal belongings of my mom, my brother, and her husband.
We keep getting questions whether we can make a claim with insurance. The answer is an unfortunate no. My mom could not insure her place. She bought it over 13 years ago cash. It's the place we've grown up in for a large portion of our lives, even through the disasters of past hurricanes.
This is a complete loss for my mom, who is disabled.
My mom however is pushing herself as much as she's able to and she's decided she wants to try and rebuild a portion of it, enough to be livable. We've been exploring every possible option, including having her move with us, but she is resistant at the moment for many reasons.
She's spent a lot of time cleaning up through the rubble, with the help of her husband and some neighbors, until she can't walk anymore at the end of the day. There's a long road to recovery ahead for us.
With the average 2 bedroom apartment being over $2300 a month in Miami, it would be impossible for her to afford that, even with our help. There's 6 total people to house from this fire after all so the rent costs would be even higher for them.
There are 3 additional people living with my mom. Due to housing costs in Miami, it is common for families to double up. They are family friends and basically an extension of our family.
Building material costs are high so if anyone isn't able or is not comfortable donating money, if you know of leftover construction materials or tools we will likely need them and would be very grateful for those donations as well.
She has no power at the moment and the unbearable Florida heat has been rough on them. If anyone wants to donate food that doesn't need a fridge or a stove, it will help us a lot too.
Day 3:
Steven, my older brother, has been wearing the same clothes as the day of the fire. Everything of his fully burnt up and we're still waiting on donations to replace what was lost.
Right now everyone is prioritizing the funds we've gotten from spotfund so far towards rebuilding the mobile home because having a place to live is far more urgent.
So far my family has been getting by in their cars but that is no way to live and it's extremely harsh on them.
They don't want to relocate at the moment for worries of looting or further damage to the property.
At this time, rewiring the home alone is thousands of dollars. Even some of the plumbing melted but fortunately a neighbor was able to salvage and repair some of that so my mom has 1 working bathroom.
Unfortunately we are nowhere near our goal at the moment but we are hopeful we will get through this.
My family thanks you for every share and every dollar or other donation and we hope we can do right by everyone some day.
Thank you and keep us in your thoughts.
If you know of any organizations who could provide aid, we will be very grateful for the information as well.
Right now, anything helps.
Much love to everyone and hoping for brighter skies ahead.
