I’m reaching out with a heavy heart to ask for your help for someone who means the world to me. My best friend, Rodolfo - Rudolf- Schmidtke and his partner have lost everything in the recent catastrophic flood that struck Bahia Blanca on March 6-7, 2025.

The water rose to five feet inside and outside their home, destroying all their belongings, cherished memories, and even their car. Tragically, they had let their home insurance lapse just a few months ago — something they never imagined would leave them so vulnerable.

Rudolf works as a psychotherapist and has his own private practice in an office he created in his own house. Needless to say this emergency will hinder his ability to keep working as his work place including computers and all electronics , books, records and more have been ruined and are not recoverable.

If you know Rudolf, you know he’s the kindest soul -a dedicated psychotherapist -who has spent his life helping others. He most recently acted as JP for my daughter Sofia’s wedding and many of you got to know him then , if not from other times where he has come visit me in the US.

Whether as a friend, teacher, son, spouse, or brother, he has always shown incredible generosity and love. He is a people person, a caring soul , one of those hard to find these days. He is an animal lover, his two dogs survived floating and swimming for 5 full hours inside the flooded home. Now, he’s facing unimaginable loss, and I want to help him in the way he’s always helped others.

I’m starting this fundraiser to support Rodolfo and his partner as they begin to rebuild their lives. Every dollar raised will go directly toward essentials like clothing, furniture, household items, and helping them secure a new place to live.

No donation is too small, and if you’re unable to contribute financially, sharing this fundraiser would mean the world. Let’s come together to lift up two people who have always given so much of themselves to others.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support during this incredibly difficult time.