Help the Adolphus Family Rebuild After Wildfire

From Ashes, We Rise

A Message from the Adolphus Family

Hello, we are the Adolphus family.

We want to begin by sharing that—thankfully—we are safe. None of us were home at the time of the fire, and for that, we are incredibly grateful.

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, around 12:35 PM, a wildfire broke out in our rural town of Aguanga, California. Fueled by dry grasslands and strong winds, the fire spread rapidly. Within just 30 minutes, our entire home was engulfed in flames.

By the time firefighters arrived, our home was fully engulfed in flames. But they immediately sprang into action, working to protect nearby homes, our barn, and the surrounding area. Thanks to their heroic efforts, the fire was eventually contained—but not before our home burned for hours, reduced to ashes. All that remains is a scorched foundation and land where we once called home; our memories, our passions, our possessions, our keepsakes, all gone.

Despite this loss, we are choosing to be thankful.

We’re thankful our dogs were safe, staying with my uncle, Richard Adolphus, and not left alone and frightened in the home. We’re thankful we weren’t there—because I know I would have risked my safety to try to save our things. We’re thankful our son, Preston, just five years old, didn’t have to witness the destruction. And we’re thankful that when the news came, we were surrounded by family who comforted us through the shock and heartbreak.

There’s a deep kind of helplessness that comes from watching your home burn in real-time through Facebook posts, especially from over a thousand miles away. I’ve always been the one others call when they need something fixed: cars, homes, problems of all kinds. It’s hard for me to ask for help. But this is one of those moments when I must.

Every day since, Preston has asked Santa Claus to bring back his toys. He sees his mom’s sadness and tells her, “It’s okay, Momma. Santa will bring your things back.” He looks at me and says, “Santa will bring yours too, Dad. You’re the best dad. Santa knows it.”

And I can’t help but smile. Because in his innocence, he doesn’t yet know what it means to lose everything. He doesn’t understand that the mortgage on our now-destroyed home still exists. That things we were still paying off are now gone—but the bills remain.

We’re fortunate to be staying with Kimberly’s family for now, and their support means the world to us. But this is not a permanent solution.

We’re reaching out to raise funds that will help us secure temporary housing, purchase essentials like clothing, furniture and beds, and begin the long journey of rebuilding our lives. We do have insurance, but as is often the case in high-risk fire zones, we fear it won’t come close to covering the cost of rebuilding a home in today’s economy. We’ve filed a claim, but at this point, we’ve received only an email acknowledging it.

The money raised will help us regain stability, start over, and most importantly, give Preston a space to call his own again. He is the heart of our world, so sweet, so full of love. And he deserves a home where he can feel safe again.

This experience has reminded us of one simple truth: things can turn to ash in moments—but people, love, and health are what truly matter. We will rebuild. We will rise from this, together.

If you’re unable to donate, we completely understand. Sharing our GoFundMe would mean just as much.

And if you can give, from the bottom of our hearts—thank you.

With love and gratitude,

The Adolphus Family

Albert Adolphus, from Old Bethpage, NY

Kimberly Sivage, from Oceanside, CA