AJ's Car Fire: A Community's Call to Help

Yesterday, on June 23, 2025, was one of those days that reminds you how quickly life can change — and how important it is to be grateful for every moment.

At exactly 1:14 PM, AJ got home after picking up his car from the mechanic, where it had just gotten a routine oil change. By 1:21 PM — just seven minutes later — the unthinkable happened. His car caught fire. The engine blew up right in our driveway.

By the grace of God, AJ is safe. No one was hurt. And miraculously, the damage to our home was minimal — just some burns on the driveway. But the car, his beloved “Silver Surfer,” is completely gone.

This wasn’t just a car. It was AJ’s very first vehicle — the one he saved up for, the one that gave him the freedom to get to work and school, to be responsible, independent, and proud. He’s only 18 years old, juggling a part-time job while pursuing his education. Watching all of that go up in flames was devastating.

From a very young age, AJ has been no stranger to adversity. He was bitten by a dog as a child, underwent brain surgery for Chiari malformation, was hit by a car in 2017, and just last year, in 2023, endured three separate surgeries to correct his scoliosis. Through every challenge, he has faced life with strength, grace, and an unshakable spirit. Losing his car is yet another setback — but not one he’ll face alone.

Unfortunately, during the fire, my brother’s car — which was parked nearby — was also damaged. It was just another layer of stress added to an already overwhelming day, and we’re still assessing the full extent of that damage as well.

Since the incident, we’ve learned that the Kia Forte (including the 2010–2013 models) has had known engine recalls, which makes this even more concerning. While we’re not yet certain what caused the fire, we are currently waiting for the insurance adjuster to conduct an inspection so we can better understand what happened.

I’m not one to usually ask for help. I’m definitely a mom who tries her best to make sure the outside world doesn’t see our struggles. But this incident happened so suddenly, and the reality is — we are not in a position to fully cover the cost of a replacement vehicle for AJ. That’s why we’ve created this GoFundMe — to ask for a little help from our village during a time of unexpected need.

Any extra funds collected through this GoFundMe — or reimbursed by insurance — will go directly toward helping AJ stay on track, including things like gas cards to get to and from school and work.

A very special shout-out to our incredible neighbors, Joel and Javier, who ran to our rescue the moment they saw the fire. Their quick action — using their own fire extinguishers — likely saved our entire home from going up in flames.

We also want to thank Bergenfield Fire Company #2 for their incredibly fast response, and to all the neighbors who immediately called 911 and checked on my mom, AJ, and Rain to make sure they were safe. Your love and community spirit mean the world to us — we will never forget it.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support, your kindness, and your prayers. We are so thankful AJ is safe. Everything else, we can work through — together.

#SilverSurfer #GratefulHeart #AJsJourney #GodIsGood #ResilientAJ #KiaRecall #ThankYouVillage #HeroNeighbors #BergenfieldStrong