My family has always been a hard-working family.  Sept 22. 2021, a lifetime of sacrifice went up in flames. My grandpa, ( on the far left) has been a hero not just to the family but to our country as well. He is a 3-time war veteran. Serving in Vietnam with Marines, in Desert Storm with the Army, and Iraqi Freedom again, with the Army. My grandparents (grandma is on the left) have been the bedrock of our family and lived a life of service. 

Nothing quite humbles you like a fire. It destroys all the things you've worked for. Precious photos, gifts, and heirlooms go up in flames and smoke. For 25 years my grandparents have lived in this house. The first and only family house. I know they are damn proud of it. They both immigrated from the Philippines. To me, they are an example of what is left of the American Dream. My grandmother was a nurse at Mt.Sinai in NYC for many years. Till she beat cancer and retired. My grandfather still gets up and goes to work. He works as a Diplomatic Security Officer right in Manhattan. Without missing a beat he still went back to work the next week. While I'm convinced he wouldn't know what to do with himself without work, I also know we can't afford for him to stop working.

 

The house has always been the place of gathering and all of my cousins at one point or another have lived in that very house.

 

After I knew my grandparents and my aunt were safe. The next thought I had was about my mother's ashes. We hadn't gotten around to burying my mother's ashes. Thankfully, we were able to recover them. My grandparents have lived through some tough heartache during their time. I'm appreciative that everyone is alive. But I am once again reminded how short life can be.

 

 

My grandpa has done so much for not just my family, but this country. He and my grandmother have both lived a life of service. I am asking for donations to help my family get back on its feet. I'm doing my best to spearhead all efforts in our rebuild and handling all the matters while my grandfather has to work. The current are estimates are 8+ months that we will be displaced. Insurance is covering lodging so far. But it will be that long I've been told before we see the majority of our disbursement. 

My grandparents lost all of their clothes and their credentials. Which has temporarily prevented them from accessing their bank accounts. Thankfully we have replaced all of my grandmother's medications but still have 2 more adults in the house that need to have their prescriptions filled. We have received some immediate assistance with clothes and food so for the time being we are ok there. 

 

My primary objectives are:

A. fill any gaps that the insurance doesn't cover. I was told the appraisal of our home alone was $640,000. While we are covered for 550,000$ for structure. This does not include making the home, more senior-citizen-friendly and forced upgrades due to coding nor, the depreciation that the insurance company will try to factor in. The insurance will only cover so much. In addition my grandmother just lost her car and my car may be totaled. We only have 30 days each of rental coverage.

B. Restore any heirlooms that pass on the family history and preserve my grandfather's military history.

C. gift my grandparents some quality time away from this tragedy. Ideally, I would like to send them somewhere to relax at least for a week or so. The emotional loss and the displacement are devastating.

D. Establish a non for profit organization that assists Vets and first responders in times of crisis.

 

If you have managed to read this far. PSA please update your home insurance and even if you live with family get your own renter's insurance. While I am confident we will be able to rebuild one way or another. We would be homeless if I had not updated our homeowner's policy 3 years ago. With the current prices of goods and lumber, I'm concerned about the rebuild cost.

 

I personally thank you for sharing, reading, and/or donating. Please take this time to evaluate what is important in your life, and make sure you look at the coverages you have in place that protect your family during emergencies. Life/Accident/Health/Property/Casualty/Disability

 

I would also like to thank everyone who has come forward this far. Thank you for being there.

 

Below are pictures/videos of the damage: