Help Rebuild my Family’s lives in the Cumbres del Rubí Fire
Hello, my name is Janay Lee, and I live in San Diego. Tragically, my family in Tijuana has experienced an unimaginable loss. On January 21st, a devastating wildfire fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds swept through the Cumbres del Rubí neighborhood, destroying fourteen homes, including those of my beloved family members.
My Tía Luz (59) Tía Eva (68), and my great aunt, Luisa (80) lived side by side, each with their own homes—homes they built and expanded over the years with the little money they had. Their homes were where generations of our family have gathered and created memories. In a matter of hours, everything they had worked for was reduced to ashes.
My Family's Courage and Loss in the Face of Disaster:
- Eva was cooking breakfast when she noticed something unusual. As she glanced toward the mirror on her closet door, she caught the reflection of the window and saw vivid, bright colors. That’s when she realized it was a fire. She screamed to alert everyone and immediately began tossing water in a desperate attempt to stop the flames from reaching their home.
- Luz, the sole provider for her family, was at work during the fire. Her husband, Meño, who recently suffered a debilitating stroke and has limited mobility, was home alone (Pictured below).
- Angel, who is Eva’s grandson, was helping his grandmother try to stop the fire from spreading. When he noticed flames overtaking Luz’s house, he realized Meño was still inside. Angel shouted, “¡Mamá, mi Tío Meño está adentro! Tenemos que detenernos. Lleva todo lo que puedas y sal ahora.” (Mama, my Uncle Meño is inside! We have to stop. Grab everything and get out now.) Family members, such as Angel's mother and his son barely escaped (Pictured below).
- Eva, overcome with emotion, began crying as she was forced to stop pouring water and gathered what belongings she could. Despite her efforts, she had to abandon a lifetime of cherished memories and belongings. Angel bravely ran next door to rescue Meño, carrying him out of the burning house. As the flames began to engulf their home, Meño managed to find and grab his wife’s passport, saving what he could. While the family managed to save their dog, Nessi, they were unable to save their beloved cat, who perished in the fire.
- My great aunt Luisa (80) and her family, including the children, were able to escape safely, but their home was completely destroyed. While we are still waiting to learn more about their situation, we know they have lost everything. Please note that my great aunt’s family has created their own GoFundMe to focus on their recovery efforts. Our fundraiser will be directed toward assisting my aunts Eva and Luz, whose homes were also affected by the fire. Thank you for your continued support!
- If you would like to support my great aunt Luisa and her family, you can do so here: https://gofund.me/25ad3d86 (Their family is pictured below.)
How We’re Taking Action
- My family and I are doing everything we can to help. We are currently gathering as many supplies, money, and resources as possible to take to Mexico in the coming days to help my Tías and their loved ones through this challenging time.
How Your Donations Will Be Used
To ensure transparency, here is a breakdown of how we plan to use the funds raised:
- Temporary Shelter: Provide food and temporary accommodations for our family.
- Essentials: Replace clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and basic household necessities for everyone including Angel's 3-year old son and the pets.
- Rebuilding Homes: Rebuild the family homes with essential materials and labor.
- Furniture and Appliances: Replace beds, tables, refrigerators, stoves, and other essential items.
Why We Need Your Help
- Honestly, whatever help you can give or information you can share helps so much, and we truly appreciate this. My family has always been a source of strength, resilience, and generosity. Even when they have very little, they share what they can with others. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in helping my family rise from this tragedy. If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this campaign to spread the word.
I love you guys! Truly, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and support during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Janay Lee