On the morning of November 25, just two days before Thanksgiving, a devastating fire broke out in my Aunt Neda’s home. While her apartment avoided the worst of the flames, my cousin Chris, his wife Etilza, and their two young children lost everything when their entire apartment was destroyed. The water used to extinguish the fire caused severe damage throughout the rest of the home - impacting the basement, the first floor where Neda lives, the second floor, and even the attic.

Now, our family is in the process of salvaging what little we can and preparing for temporary relocation. For Neda and Chris, this means leaving the home they’ve lived in for more than 30 years. For Chris and Etilza, it means completely restarting life with two small children who now need clothing, beds, school supplies, and all their everyday essentials replaced.

How the Funds Will Be Used

To ensure complete transparency, all donations will be allocated toward:

For Chris, Etilza, and the Children:

Clothing for both children and adults

Beds, bedding, and basic furniture

School supplies and children’s essentials (diapers, wipes, toiletries, etc.)

Household necessities such as kitchenware, small appliances, and daily-living items

Temporary housing costs as they transition to a safe place

For Neda and the Home:

Major home renovations and repairs due to extensive fire and water damage

Restoring the first-floor and second-floor apartments, as well as the attic

Replacing damaged appliances, furniture, and personal belongings

Basement cleanup and restoration, which was completely flooded

Every dollar donated will go directly toward helping my family rebuild - whether it’s replacing daily essentials, supporting the kids, or assisting with the long and expensive process of repairing Neda’s home from top to bottom.

Our family is deeply grateful for every message, share, donation, and act of generosity during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you for helping us begin to rebuild what was lost. ❤️