Today

by Luis Hernandez, Organizer

Update: One Year Later — Still Fighting to Rebuild Our Home

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since our lives were turned upside down. After so many months of struggle, there’s finally a little light — thank God, the City of Deltona will be helping with the roof. Unfortunately, they won’t cover the trusses (the beams that hold the roof up) or the garage, and those repairs are critical.

The original estimate from last December was around $80,000. We’ve been blessed to receive $25,000 from FEMA and about $30,000 from the city for the roof — but to be clear, that amount is paid directly to the roofing company, not to us. The FEMA funds will help cover the interior repairs, but the foundation and truss work remain completely uncovered.

I’m still caring full-time for my mother, Carmen, and my sister. It’s a role I’m grateful for, but it means I can’t work, and the financial strain has been overwhelming. Watching my family live like this, after losing so much, has been truly heartbreaking.

Please — if you can donate, share, or even just tell someone about our story, it would mean the world to us. After a year of waiting, we’re finally seeing a small step forward, but we can’t finish this without your help.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for caring, praying, and standing with us.

Actualización: Un año después — Seguimos luchando por reconstruir nuestro hogar

Cuesta creer que ya ha pasado un año desde que nuestras vidas se voltearon por completo. Después de tantos meses de lucha, por fin hay un pequeño rayo de esperanza — gracias a Dios, la Ciudad de Deltona nos ayudará con el techo. Lamentablemente, no cubrirán las cerchas (las vigas que sostienen el techo) ni los daños del garaje, y esas reparaciones son esenciales.

La estimación original de diciembre pasado fue de aproximadamente $80,000. Hemos sido bendecidos con $25,000 de FEMA y unos $30,000 de la ciudad para el techo — pero para aclarar, ese dinero va directamente a la compañía de techos, no lo recibimos nosotros. Los fondos de FEMA cubrirán los daños interiores, pero la reparación de la base y las cerchas sigue sin financiamiento.

Sigo cuidando a tiempo completo de mi madre, Carmen, y de mi hermana. Es una responsabilidad que asumo con amor, pero también significa que no puedo trabajar, y la carga económica ha sido muy difícil. Ver a mi familia vivir así, después de perder tanto, ha sido verdaderamente desgarrador.

Por favor — si pueden donar, compartir o simplemente contarle a alguien nuestra historia, nos ayudaría muchísimo. Después de un año de espera, finalmente vemos un pequeño avance, pero no podremos terminar esta reconstrucción sin su ayuda.

De todo corazón, gracias por sus oraciones, su apoyo y por no olvidarse de nosotros.

Previous Story

"My name is Luis Hernandez, and I am Carmen's son and Doris's brother. We have been deeply impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Milton. Our home in Deltona, Florida, which has been our sanctuary for over 30 years, suffered significant damage from the storm. Adding to this already difficult situation, my mom is an elderly resident who relies on Social Security, and my sister is disabled, making our financial resources extremely limited. Currently, I am unemployed as I am dedicated to caring for both during this challenging time.

The force of the hurricane caused extensive structural damage, including part of the roof and garage that sustained significant impact from a fallen tree. Inside, the tree penetrated the ceiling of the living room and garage, causing water damage to almost the entire house, damaging belongings, and even worse, the mold that has invaded our home.

We now face the daunting and costly task of rebuilding the home and restoring our lives to normalcy. The initial estimates for these crucial repairs, including structural work, roof replacement, garage restoration, and interior repairs, are around $85,000. That's not even including the damage done by FEMA and the people collecting debris that damaged my driveway.

While we are grateful for the assistance provided by FEMA, the approximately $25,000 received falls significantly short of the overwhelming need. Unfortunately, our subsequent application for an SBA disaster loan was also denied, leaving us with limited options and facing this enormous financial burden largely on our own. The reality is that on their fixed and limited incomes, covering these extensive repairs is simply impossible, and my ability to work is currently focused on their care.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will directly help us, but most importantly my mom Carmen and sister Doris, take the necessary steps towards rebuilding the house and their lives. Our goal is to raise at least $60,000 to supplement the limited FEMA assistance and cover the essential repairs. These funds will be used specifically for:

Structural repairs to ensure the safety and stability of the home.

Roof replacement to protect us from further damage.

Repair or rebuilding of the damaged garage.

Restoration of the interior of the home to make it habitable again, loss of furniture, clothing, electrical items, etc.

We understand that times are tough, but if you are able to contribute, your generosity would mean the world to us. Please consider sharing this fundraiser with your friends, family, and community. Your support, in any form, will provide us with hope and a path forward during this incredibly challenging time.

We will keep you updated on the progress as we begin the long journey of rebuilding. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and support. PLEASE HELP US!