On Friday evening January 2nd, 2026, the Melendez family experienced a devastating house fire at their home in Arlington Heights. Thankfully, everyone made it out safely, including their black lab Ocho. However, it took away all of their belongings and left them homeless.

The Melendez family has always been very hardworking and loved by their neighbors. They are in urgent need of any and all support that can be offered. Including support to cover basic necessities such as food, dog food, temporary housing, and their long road of rebuilding their lives.

Your kindness will help them and give them stability through this incredibly difficult start to the New Year. Please consider helping the Melendez family, any donation is appreciated and nothing is too small, as they go through this process and on the road to healing.

Members of the Melendez Family that were affected: Mother: Teresa Guevara (55); Father: Louie Melendez (55); Daughters: Karicia Melendez (23), Nadia Melendez(21); Dog: Ocho (2)

If you would like to make a donation other than money, please leave a message below. We will get to you as soon as possible! Thank you.